Zianro Azura's Story

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When Cailu entered the house he had grown up in, the place that now belonged to him, the tribe leaders house. Even if it made him feel uncomfortable to stay there since it felt like it wasn't really his, he still liked it since it made him able to stay with the only family he had left since his younger siblings had decided to travel together to study other techniques and learn more. Because he still had Ara here with him, on the upper floor and when he returned home from meetings he usually always walked up the narrow stairs to knock on her door. He didn't wait for her to open or call out that it was okay to come in because they both knew that it was, so he just opened the door and lowered his head as he walked inside seeing her sit by the small window as she usually did.

"How did it go?" Ara didn't turn her face towards him as she spoke, obviously too mesmerized with the scenery outside to bother with such unnecessary gestures. Cailu could hear how important the question was anyway, he knew it even before it was brought up that it would be the first thing she would speak of.

"I think it turned out fine."

Ara turned her gaze from the window, as did she turn her body towards him. Looking directly at him with a wrinkle between her eyebrows, clearly not satisfied by the answer. But Cailu was happy anyway because she didn't look that worn out at the moment. Even if they were concerned at the moment her eye's still looked lively. "What do you mean?"

With a small smile Cailu stroke the back of his neck, "Well... I didn't really remember what you told me to say so I improvised... But they decided to keep on trading with us so it's good, right?"

Ara blinked a couple of times, confused by what she heard, surprised even, "You improvised? Do you know what problem that may have caused us if you hadn't succeeded?"

"Of course I do, I can think for myself you know."

"This is not about you and your thoughts, this is about you almost making us lose a trading partner."

Cailu quietly looked away, he knew there was nothing that he could say that would make her believe that he could handle the situation by himself. Ever since he had told her about how anxious he had felt about the leader position being put over him, how he felt crushed be the pressure of the expatriations she had been controlling his every move as the leader. Sure, he had appreciated it at first, to get that help, to not feel like he had the whole tribe positioned on his shoulder. Getting more pressed towards the ground by every single day that passed by, but now it felt like it was Ara that pressed him towards the ground more and more by every single thing he had to do. But it was not like he could take that away from her, he knew it was the thing she appreciated the most, to feel needed even when sitting in this room every single day. Even he would try to revolt it wouldn't bring him anything more than perhaps an angry mob chasing him out from the tribe. He knew that if he displeased her so she could easily take the position from him since she had the tribe’s approval and love. She could easily take his place without doing more than just ask their tribesmen to do it for her, she wouldn’t even need to raise up from the chair.

"I'm sorry for forgetting," Cailu walked over to her and lightly picked the flower she had in her out from it just to replace it with a new one, mumbling while doing so, "I'm very sorry."

Ara waved away his hands from her face and shook her head quietly, "Fine. Even if you didn't listen to me you still succeeded and that is all that matters," As soon as she had uttered the sentence her face lightened up by a smile as she leaned back in the chair again, "So now tell me about what happened, who did you meet? How did it look? Oh, Anastasia was with you right?"

Cailu just chuckled slightly at the questions that continued to be sounded be Ara's mouth as he took the second chair in the room and dragged it over to her. When he had placed it beside her before he sat down and started to try to form some sort of answer to the questions that had always been voiced while more continued to come to life.

"So, it is not one, but two new leaders crowned this day. My, this is an interesting time indeed. We live in a generation of opportunity my friends. An opportunity to put petty squabbles between which element is greater aside, and focus on becoming a peaceful land again. But I cannot work towards this peace if I have opposition in the court. My first block is you, Watermaster Arno Dracil." The Lord of the Water tribe stated his small opening speech of the current party in question, who was chained in front of him. The man glowered at the blue eyed leader, wearing not but a jacket to cover the back portion of his tattoo.

"I did nothing wrong! Only tried to focus the Fire Tribe's attention on something else!" The man shouted. "Need I remind you it was on yo-"

"Silence Blasphemer. I am a servant of my Ancestor's creed. Sirona would frown on me if I ever did that deed." The Water Chieftain wagged his finger tauntingly, "Arno Dracil, you are stripped of your title and will be placed under house arrest until a time where we can properly put you on a private trial, and eventually, execution." He turned his trident upside down to have the guards escort the blithering man out of the empty courtroom.

"Lord Zianro, shall we continue with the more immediate business? That of finding you a bride worthy of producing an heir to further solidify your hold on the throne?" One of his advisors sitting on a smaller chair on a rug on the right hand side of the large courtroom stated.

"Oh the ever aching pursuit of a girl willing to roll in hay with a Dragon. I do not wish for any marriage of mine to be just politics. I save politics for those I don't like. That includes the Fire Tribe and the power hungry general of theirs. At any rate, if it's to lighten my mood old man, fine, we shall go through your list of potentials across the inter-tribal country of ours." With that Zianro Azura leaned back on his throne in boredom. He wished he was outside to visiting his people. But it seemed being a leader and being a warrior were two different things.

"What I need is a kindred spirit of some kind." he thought.

"Are we done for today? I want to go out." Zianro said as he dragged the last word like a bored teenager. "Been cooped in here for weeks it gets boring after awhile. And combing through a list of women, although very relaxing, does not help."

"But Sire, we do have to think on these things and you have quite the busy schedule ahead of you." The advisor stated as Zianro leaned back on his throne boredly. He wanted just one day, outside, out on the lake for a swim. Was that too much to ask? Sighing he seemingly gave in as he then set his trident down on the throne. "I want to swim." Said in a firm voice as he walked out of the courtroom and through the elaborate palace to go out into a secret Royal path down to the edge of the lake for a swim.

On the way, he holstered his two swords he had as a warrior for self defense purposes in their sheaths as he ventured to said spot. He then shrugged off his shirt as he then dove into the water and begin to swim. It was a relaxing time for him, to be near where his tribe had derived his magic from. It wasn't the springs of Sirona but it was water nonetheless and this relaxed him. He simply did not wished to be disturbed at that exact moment.

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Lord Vinicius

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“Maybe not. But I'm going to mean this.

It was a sheer dodge, Vinicius had no intentions to fight, well, not anymore. He tried to keep his eyes on her entire body and not on just one portion, that portion being the bleeding wound. And perhaps it was not the biggest nor serious of injuries to a soldier or to a king, but it was enough for Vinicius to stop his offensive in this battle all together. However, if this soldier wished to fight, then so be it, Vinicius guessed his brother trained them hard, never retreat, never surrender.

“Are you going to jump around like you’re Air Tribe now? Stand still and fight!”

“Air Tribe? I don’t suppose they even know what a wrestling match is.”

”Stand still and fight like a man already!

“You mean like a heartless bastard? Real men don’t hit women, especially wounded ones.”

Vinicius continued to dodge even after the taunt, and besides, dodging could have been a good motive of his in order to show off his talents, in order to display his speed, agility, and grace. If he wished to, Vinicius believed he could have already beaten her, such as, when she was on the ground, if he ever were to be so cruel and ruthless, even unfair perhaps, Vinicius could have kicked her in the weakened spot as she was arising from the ground.

But something such as that to do to a woman, seemed sinister to Vinicius, and he could admit that the fire tribe has had their past with evil kings, and Vinicius did not want to be one of them. Though it was hit by hit, blow by blow, and Vinicius continued to cause his enemy to miss, but it then came that point that Vinicius could see that her stamina wearing down. Yes, that was exactly what he want, the soldier to tire herself out, and perhaps with her exhausted state it will seem that Vinicius was the victor.

However in came another troop to interrupt the brawl, “Milord,” he greeted Vinicius hoping to cease the fighting, but the two did not stop, nothing. “Lord Vinicius—“

“Soldier, cannot you not see I am quite busy right now?” Vinicius quick spoke as he duck to dodge her kick. No, Vinicius did not wish to tolerate an interrupt right now, he was so close to tasting his victory. But there was one thing, one person, Vinicius could not force himself to ignore. “It’s your mother! S-She hit the floor,” the soldier cried stuttered as he was nervous to intrude on his king.

The audience in the room froze, everything was dead silent and Vinicius immediately forgot about the match he encountered and stormed to the interrupting soldier whom informed the bad news. Vinicius is known to have a bad temper, an explosive anger, so anyone could imagine that everyone in the room was just counting on Vinicius to now act with another match, but this time against the soldier, and perhaps then a much more violent one, a battle Vinicius was passionate about. But Vinicius knew he could not waste his time with the soldier, and honestly, Vinicius felt that he had no right to hurt the man though Vinicius may have been angry at the moment due to the sick state of his ill mother. Thus Vinicus charged out of the room, and that was the last seen of the lord.

And after Vinicius had left the soldiers that filled the dining room expected that the General would reprimand Sholeh for attacking the king, she had none of permission in engage in a match, but as for Zaheed, he too had vanished from the setting.

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General Zaheed

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Shadow galloped out of fire land headed for earth, or so it seemed, but Zaheed steered his stead once far away from the eyes of his country to the water tribe. But alongside Zaheed the one other being that travelled alongside with him was his raven named, Icarus. The bird was an eerie sight to be seen, some may say that it looked as if Zaheed had entranced it was witchery. Though it must not be true, Zaheed had trained it, Icarus was the most valuable of Zaheed’s animals, and if he could anything in his life, Zaheed would say it to be that bird.

However as he was far away from fire, in the midst of nowhere, Zaheed stopped, where he pulled from a pouch of his a letter that read,

Dear Zianro Azura, the Wandering River Dragon,
Come nightfall, I will arrive to Lakeshore. I am aware water and fire had fought for years, and it will continue as long as Zotar sits on throne. Yes, his attention may be dragged off of the water tribe, but he is looking to declare war on earth, quite predictable, but also quite insane. And not only would a crazy man accept two wars at the same time, but also a blood-thirsty one. How much longer before he may attack water, how much long may even capture earth ground, building an empire to defeat water. And by then, I cannot be any use to you.

So I venture off to compromise, and speak of further matters in person…
General Zaheed

Zaheed equipped his bird’s beak with the letter and Icarus flapped its wings and glided to water tribe land. When the bird had spotted Zianro, it unleashed the letter. But in decisively clever manner, after ZIanro had finished the letter and set it down, the bird swallowed and devoured the letter, so that no proof that Zaheed was affiliating with the water tribe king may be revealed. And immediately after it was up, up, and away. It learned well from its master…

Zianro relaxed on the shore of the lake, Shirtless and alone. Feeling rather happy at his current state of contentment. He knew a breath of fresh air would clear his mind. He needed to be out and about more often. Whether it was out in public in his old soldier's garb or in the clothing he was in. He had to play the political game the tribe's inner workings had set for him.

It was then he heard a raven's call as it landed right next to him with a letter in it's beak. Zianro's brow furrowed as he took the letter and opened it and began to read it. Zianro then narrowed his eyes as he read through it all. "Nightfall?! Alone?! General Zaheed, my Old Archrival before I took the role of leader, you're playing a dangerous game. I wonder which of you two is the more insane now due to this. Your brother, or you, for your current deed?" he thought bitterly as the wheels turned in his head. He had to find a way to stop the war on both ends, as he knew fire would be after Earth and Water. And earth was not so keen on water or fire at the moment. He was caught in the middle of a battle triumvirate.

Tossing the letter to the side, he watched the Raven feast upon it before leaving him. Putting on his Jacket, the Wandering River Dragon hurried to the outskirts of the city, all in an effort to head off Zaheed so that way he wouldn't go directly into the city, and be in a quiet area to actually discuss with him, or fight him. Either way, it should prove fun. He had his swords on him just in case Zaheed was luring him to a trap.

He sat on a meadow a few miles beyond Lakeshore, silently waiting. As soon as he heard hoofbeats he got up on his feet and said in a clear voice, "That is far enough, my Archrival. You're a long way out from your home, and your timing is....confusing. I had not expected to see you until the next time your armies came at me. I recieved your letter. What is this about?"

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General Zaheed

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"That is far enough, my Archrival. You're a long way out from your home, and your timing is....confusing. I had not expected to see you until the next time your armies came at me. I received your letter. What is this about?"

Zaheed smirked when he witnessed Zianro before his eyes. The general anticipated the fact that he did not have to sneak into Lakeshore, however he came prepared to wear a dark cloak to cover his fire tribe emblems. However the hood that hung over his head, causing a shadow to case down against his face, had only made him look even more suspicious and shady. But no matter, Zaheed stepped off his steed, though he rather wished not to, because he always enjoyed being much taller than someone, it gave him the feelings of superiority. But in respect, Zaheed positioned his feet on the ground, besides he was sure he would stand taller than Zianro anyways, Zaheed was a towering man, he got it from his father.

"Look who it is outside the comfort of his castle, the Wandering River Dragon," the Zaheed spoke jokingly, as he chuckled.
"Why so damn tense? Should you not know I am not my brother. To consider thought, why would I attack you? Would that not only help my brother further? And we both know that is one thing I hope to never do."

Zaheed knew Zianro, he had a past with the man as his Archrival, so Zianro also was aware of what type decisive snake of a man Zaheed. And even before when Zaheed was his Archrival, the general expressed his jealous for Zotar, but it never as bad as it had gotten now. Zaheed was never so passionate about killing his own brother, or venturing off on his own quest to hand Zotar off to his enemies.

"You know exactly what I want, the throne, of course. And yes I could stab Zotar in the back, but I cannot allow for that small chance that the public may know it was my blade that ended his life. They would overthrow me, and the fire tribe is a violent people, I however am not, or would have done the dirty deed myself already."

It was interesting how Zaheed separated himself from his own countrymen, and that was a very good thing for the water tribe. For a man not to even identify himself with fire would say he is not an enemy of water. And honestly, Zaheed was not looking for further opponents in this game of war, his match was against his own teammate. But Zaheed was tired of being the side kick, the second best, the second in command. No, not for Zaheed, he wanted to be on top.

"Let me ask you something, what is your opinion of my baby brother, of the great and mighty Vinicius?"

"Why am I not surprised? A throne is what my old Archrival wishes. Life is not fair is it?" Zianro stated with a smile. "I have to contend with politics inside the tribe so being leader here is no spring picnic Zaheed." He leaned against a tree. He listened carefully, calculating every risk and every other thing he suggested.

"What do I think of...Vinicius was it? Zotar is changing his name now? Interesting. Well as Zotar, he was admittedly more reasonable then you. Though I'm sure dear father's death jogged his anger a bit. As Vinicius he may be brash, or impulsive. Much like a certain someone." He smirked at Zaheed. "I'm curious on what he will do. If I decide he's being too much of a threat I cannot ignore, or invades lands that are not his, I will take certain.....steps. I'm sure the same will go to any who takes up the bracers of Lord of Fire."

He stopped smiling, his face turning neutral. "Does my answers satisfy you?"

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General Zaheed

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"Why am I not surprised? A throne is what my old Archrival wishes. Life is not fair is it? I have to contend with politics inside the tribe so being leader here is no spring picnic Zaheed."

"Politics, a pile of pig shite, it is why fire has dealt with sword. But that is fire, a damned race who fight no urge to rush into battle, at least I would be smart about it. So blind to act without thinking, at least I would ask myself how I would slit my enemies' throats, when, where, and how long would I let the blade swim in the blood locked in the crevices of his neck. But let us get back to my former question, yes what do you believe of my brother?"

What do I think of...Vinicius was it? Zotar is changing his name now? Interesting. Well as Zotar, he was admittedly more reasonable then you. Though I'm sure dear father's death jogged his anger a bit. As Vinicius he may be brash, or impulsive. Much like a certain someone."

"Who, me? Brash, yes, I agree. However not so much with being impulsive, no I rather wait till like farmer gathering crops to harvest my triumphs." Yes, Zaheed was not lying to Zianro, in fact, Zaheed was perhaps being more himself in this single conversation than all the talks and words he has breathed to Zotar. However Zaheed was not only insulted that Zianro had called him impulsive but that Zotar was more reasonable. No, Zaheed always saw him as the much more logical man, he was strategic, but because he clung to that logic he erased or more like ignored all emotions. All that mattered to Zaheed was that he was always right in the end, no matter what it took to get him there.

"Does my answers satisfy you?"

Zaheed lowered his eyes to the ground with a raise of his eyebrows, and almost in a quieter voice he muttered, "When did it ever matter that I was satisfy? Never to Zarfu. That will be changed soon enough." Zaheed looked back up to Zianro with teeth gritted together and in a more serious tone. "I did everything to please that man, he trained me till my bones broke, till I started sweating blood, or till I collapsed in exhaustion, but what felt the most excruciating was when I discovered the day that the truth he once told me that I would be king was only a dream. He filled my head with dream, damn it. And everytime I look at my own brother, at kriffin Lord Vinicius I see that man's cursed face again."

It was clearly seen that Zaheed was different from the rest of the tribe, the fire bearers are known to let lose their emotions, to let their angry explode into a fiery blaze of destruction, but not for Zaheed, no when he ever exposed any emotion his father would rebuke him, telling him, A king never cries, a king never burst into anger, a king controls himself. Zaheed branded his mind with those words, perhaps Zarfu was only telling his son to not to allow himself to be like him, like all the past kings of the fire nation, led by impulsive. Hower Zaheed took that as never become affectionate, so he would have no reason to cry nor be anger, with that Zaheed thought not only would he be able to control himself but others also. So the only person he did allow himself to fall in love with was himself, and even though he was angry because he never got the admiration from his father nor inherited the throne, Zaheed still did not allow his emotions to show, he would bottle them and in moments like this it truly does show.

Zaheed took a deep breath and retained his composure, "Can we make a deal, Zianro? I'm going to give you my brother. Think of it, Lord Vinicius as prisoner. You can of course do whatever you wish of him I prefer you kill him, actually I prefer I kill him, but things aren't just that easy. He is of value, especially depending on how many people he pisses off, and we all know in times like this he holds no concern on stepping on toes especially if its earth tribe's feet. But there is a catch, you will of course have to catch a fish in order to sell it. But have no worries, it will be easy on your part. There will be a royal ball and on that day you could sneak in water tribe soldiers disguised as palace guards, I will provide you with the armor. Your men sneak in kidnap the king and with fire tribe ignorance the people will most likely blame it on the earth tribe, they did kill Zarfu in an ambush, and with my brother's kidnapping it could be seen as an ambush also. So in the end, you will be completely safe and have a king in your hands."

Zianro smirked slightly as he knew he touched some of Zaheed's nerves. But he was different then the other tribes. That's what made the fire general a perfect rival to the River Dragon. "A deal you say? A bit underhanded, but I think I am willing to listen." He stated as he listened to what Zaheed proposed. Kidnap Vinicius? Hm, there was an advantage to this. He could talk to Zotar in this fashion, get him on his good side and talk of a better life for the entirety of Imos. He can not kill him as this would be too opportunistic for him to pass up.

He also knew that eventually, Zaheed might sooner or later return his attention to the other tribes once he was done with earth. So the chances of his word being kept to Zianro was very slim. Zianro smirked. "Throw in the safety of the Air tribe for the time being as they are neutral to our little spat and I will think on it. And I have a proposal, if you will hear me out. We need him to be distracted. As you said this takes place in a ball, I think what better way to distract the King of Fire than a fair maiden? Then the plan will carry out as you say."

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General Zaheed

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"Throw in the safety of the Air tribe for the time being as they are neutral to our little spat and I will think on it. And I have a proposal, if you will hear me out. We need him to be distracted. As you said this takes place in a ball, I think what better way to distract the King of Fire than a fair maiden? Then the plan will carry out as you say."

Zaheed was getting annoyed with Zianro, it seemed to the General, that water king was doing his best to suck out every opportunity he could out of him by ordering Zaheed to provide safety for the air tribe. Zaheed knew he could not do that, the fire tribe would need all there current resources especially due to Vinicius's wild ambition of taking on two wars at once. And because the General had no power to command troops to guard air tribe land without raising suspicion. Couldn't Zianro be happy enough with having Vinicius as prisoner, that was were end of the deal. Zaheed was not going to throw in much more, he knew he had other ways in getting the throne, going to Zianro was just one of them.

But then Zianro mentioned a distraction, which of course is what they would need, it was never in Zaheed's hopes that the water tribe soldiers would get caught because then that would mean that Vinicius was not kidnapped after all and Zaheed doesn't get his throne. And above all things Zaheed knew he was going to be king no matter what, even if it meant he had to do the dirty work himself. "Listen, Zianro, I am not king I am general," it pierced Zaheed heart to admit it, but it was true he could not command the troops to aid the air tribe, sure he was the brother of the king, but blood or not, he did not have the power. And Zaheed knows not to push his brother's kindness, he would not want to push him even further to be skeptical of him.

"The king orders the troops, and I just lead them. I cannot order my troops to the safety of the air tribe. I have already said that you are benefitted in this that you will have my brother, is that not enough for you? Because other than that my cover will be blown. You can imagine that the whole kingdom has the suspicious that I may overthrow Zotar, I would not like to give them more the reason to be.

And as for a fair maiden. To be honest, my brother is thirty and still a virgin. I doubt he has any talent with the ladies. In his chambers or out, he acts as if he has never spoken to one besides his own sister or mother. But however there was an incident this morning during his coronation, or more like after with a wrestling match. I demanded a challenger and it was woman. He tried to play gentlemen which had only pissed her off, never saw how that ended... Don't really want to. But anyways, as I said before, I am general and with this battle have the advantage I know his strengthens, his weaknesses, and finally this war that has not a clue that wages between us may finally come to an end that very night. And to your advantage, you could have him. There is in no way that I would not let this happen for your soldiers if you allowed this to happen, you know as much as I that I want that throne. Whatever to come after that I don't care, I just want what was rightfully mine."

Zianro raised his hands in small defense. "Okay, okay, overstepped on the air tribe a bit. I understand." Zianro stated as he smiled. He then listened carefully to Zaheed's words as his grin grew. "Now, now, Zaheed, don't you worry. You want it, I'll help provide. But if we want to ensure the plan to work we have to trust each other. Do we trust each other?"

He listened for a confirmation and he smiled. "Very good. "Now I'll smuggle some soldiers in and you provide the uniforms. Stay in touch, let me know if there is something I can use to distract Zotar for a much easier grab. I'd better get back to the palace...weed through more 'pig shite.'" Zianro smiled and turned to walk away.

"Don't be a stranger Zaheed."

Zianro only sported a smile as Zaheed left. He walked back to the palace before he was missed. He knew well he'd be scolded somehow by the advisers, but he at least had a good taste of personal freedom and privacy for the first time in an age. That gave him a small smile on his face. The Water Lord entered the palace through the back entrance, hoping to not be caught by a guard to be out and about.

He headed back into his private Quarters where one of his advisers was waiting, tapping his foot. "My lord, your post swim bath is ready. I took into account how long you'd have fun, But next time do be mindful of the time, you're not a warrior milord."

Zianro sighed and headed for the bath, where he knew there'd probably be a water maiden ordered to scrub his back. It was in times of momentary quiet like this that he missed the battlefield. That made his feeling of loneliness grow.

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It was a typical morning in Lakeshore, the sun slowly rising from the horizon, coloring the sea blood red with hints or orange. It was the best part of the day, when Lakeshore were the most beautiful city of the land - according to it citizens at least. Eirene was one of them as well, it was her favorite part of the day, minus the birds twittering. It was so loud it made her ears hurt, not surprising though since birds were just monsters with feathers and wings.

As the sun rose Eirene went out from her family house, the earlier you got out of bed the more time you had to do other things. And Eirene had always plenty to do, or at least try to do. But before she started with all of that she usually strolled around the city, just letting the surrounding sink into her memory and soul. You never knew when the city could fall to pieces with the ongoing war, even though the war didn't exactly take place outside the city it could get there if the Fire tribe grew stronger. Not that Eirene bothered her mind with it, she had no clue what was going on with the war like most non soldiers, she just knew that there was a war.

Around her the city started to wake up, people started to let their windows open wide and others started to prepare their stores for when people would start to visit them. If Eirene would describe this time of the day it was just one word that fitted it - magical. Even though she walked around the streets by herself she didn't feel lonely because of the spirit of the city, it was something hard to describe if you had never experienced it. It just filled her heart with lightness. Sometimes when she walked around the streets she met with people that would start to talk with her, people that could share a pieces of their life with her even though she had no clue who they were. But today she saw someone she knew it was, everyone knew who he was.

Zianro Azura, the tribe's leader.

Eirene stopped for a split second and watched him, wondering what he was doing outside at this time of the day. Not that she pondered over it that much, he could just be strolling around like she was because of the beauty of the city. After the short moment of staring at him Eirene walked over to him, seizing the moment. It was not every day when you could just stroll over to the tribe’s leader and find him alone, perhaps he was busy, but it was not something Eirene did even consider. She just walked over to him, "Good morning Lord Azura, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name's Eirene of the deSoleh family, perhaps you know of my father he works as an advisor. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you but I was going to ask you one thing..." Eirene's gaze which had been lowered for the whole conversation, showing that he was of higher status than her, but now she looked up at him for the first time "I was wondering what happens to the corpses of the people that dies in our prisons, do you just throw them out? I would like to examine them. I'm a scholar, I used to work under Master Elidyr."

Eirene had never met the man before, not talked to him or anything and even despite that she just spat out the question without thinking. Mainly because she had not thought about it long enough, that perhaps others wouldn't think of it as lightly as she did. To her it was all in the sake of finding out the truth, to other's it could probably be declared as crazy.

Today felt as boring as any other day. Zianro decided to get some morning air and walk around the city a bit before the advisors woke up and prepared for any other form of political nonsense he had to take care of. He loved the look of Lakeshore in the morning. Everything was serene, peaceful to him. The open air felt like a great relief then the stuffy old palace.

Even the City Guard were inclined to agree, as he'd probably want to be the first to know his Right Hand was on his way back from hunting several soldiers who turned to banditry on the trade routes, and the first to greet him for sure. Zianro then suddenly saw a young woman approaching him. Eirene deSoleh, that was what her name was. Zianro pondered a bit and nodded when she talked of her father. Advisor deSoleh spoke often of his daughter, in both the possibility of betrothal, and that she was quite odd for a member of the tribe. "Pleasure is all mine that one of my advisors hid such a lovely little thing." He responded to the greeting as he listened carefully to her request.

"The convicted? Well, usually their dragged out and executed in the square at times then their bodies are taken to the sea. Those that die in prison are well, disposed of carefully to avoid the spread of disease." He responded. He found it odd she wished to examine such a corpse. Then, out of the corner of his eyes at the gates, he thought he saw a familiar shape enter in it, armored and carrying a detained bandit at the back of his horse. The six foot three inches of the horse's owner dismounted and began speaking to the city guard.

"So then, Milady. If you wish to examine a corpse, I'll have to ensure they're not only disease free, but they're not hacked up into bloody chunks." He said the last part loudly. The tall man looked over at Zianro and just did a peeved wave of his hand. "Oh no, now I've done it. I made Na'ari mad." He chuckled to himself at the thought.

"Anyway Eirene. We can further discuss this at the palace? We can discuss your studies there and what you wish to know whilst visiting the prisons." Zianro said this offer. He wished to get to know this scholar woman more. He didn't know why, maybe it was because of her strange appearance for a Water Tribe member.

---

The Man called Na'ari meanwhile had a guard drag the man he brought to the prisons. The Right Hand was in a sour mood. Some of the bandits got away which means they'll reorganize. Zianro's small taunt whilst trying to possibly woo his next female companion did not help things either. But Na'ari paid no heed of it. "Alright boys! Breakfast drinks are on me! Let's go!" With that, some off duty guards followed Na'ari to the nearest tavern for breakfast.

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It was pleasuring to see their leader listen to someone like her, it made Eirene quite happy. Not only did he listen but responded as well. It had gone better than she had dared to hope, she had thought he perhaps had been going somewhere - they seemed to always have something to do over at the palace. At least it was enough to keep her father away from home most of the time. Even though Eirene listened carefully to what Zianro responded she just nodded excitedly, she had not understood that he had just given her a compliment. She sure found the whole sentence but especially the word lovely odd, and it was only when she thought of it that she adverted her eyes from him and blushed since she had realized what he had actually said.

She lowered her head in respect for him, "Thank you." She didn't agree with him, but she wasn't going to argue with their leader about something like that. She wasn't going to argue with him at all. But to call someone who walked over and ask about corpses lovely, well perhaps they had different views on it all but not even Eirene herself could see the lovely part in it.

As he declared what they did to the dead bodies Eirene listened even more intensely, nodding as he spoke. She could understand why they would do such a thing, if the dead carried diseases it could become a disaster. Plagues was hard to stop when they had bloomed out, as the thought was brought to mind Eirene couldn't help but think that such a study could be interesting as well, but it wouldn't lead to anything. Diseases wasn't something you could actually see, you could just see the signs. Still, she would probably find herself writing down theories about it when she had time over.

To her surprise her request got accepted, Zianro said that she would get to examine one of the bodies - even one in good condition. As first she though that perhaps he was joking, that he wasn't being serious but as he continued to talk she happily clasped her hands in excitement, smiling. If her father had seen this he would probably scold her for asking such a question, or even thinking the thought, but he didn't know of it. And the whole experiment had been an success.

"Anyway Eirene. We can further discuss this at the palace? We can discuss your studies there and what you wish to know whilst visiting the prisons."

Hearing her first name did throw her off guard, blushing slightly again. But she soon collected herself again and smiled, "That would be delightful, thank you for inviting me. I won't take up too much of your time, I promise."

Zianro smirked silently. "On the contrary, I think this will put some flavor in a possibly dull day. The daily political bickering of the advisors gets greatly tedious at times." He stated, gesturing her to follow him as he headed towards the prisons.

They were located under an adjacent building in the palace, and Zianro walked towards said building knowing the more healthier corpses fit for examination would be there. "So, Miss Eirene, or do you wish Lady deSoleh? My question is, why do you study corpses. Rather macabre and strange don't you think?" He asked as he walked into the building and looked at several bodies. "Hm, well, you can tell which ones are more healthier I presume, since they're closer to the exit it means they're not infected with anything life threatening. Though, more often then not, my Right hand often throws his bounties in pieces."

He rubbed his head in slight worry. "At times I wonder what the bandits do to file him up so."

----

"So, then the leader is caught, whilst his subordinates run with their tails between their legs!" Na'ari says to the off duty city guards. "I'm telling you, banditry shows there's bad apples in the mercenaries at times." He drank from a tankard and breathed. "Ah, now I return to Zianro with the report, what am I to tell him? 'They will return in six weeks reorganized and pissed off.'?"

"Aw come on Na'ari, I think your overworked. Ask for a vacation!" Shouted one guard.

"Yeah, like go to the Air Tribal lands for a time, I hear the silver haired lasses are very great."

Na'ari rolled his eyes. "I can't take vacations damn it." He said with a chuckle. "Who'd be here to pick up any messes those mercenaries or advisors make?" This was a sarcastic, trick question. One many are familiar with. It is a question that is a precursor to him getting a bit worked up.

---

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"On the contrary, I think this will put some flavor in a possibly dull day. The daily political bickering of the advisors gets greatly tedious at times."

The statement brought a small smile to Eirene's lips, she had never been found of politics either. Not that she knew much about it, only what her father had told her and her siblings when they grew up. But she couldn't see why her research would make anything better, well perhaps it was a bit interesting at least according to her. Perhaps strange and funny to others. But he led her to the prison either way, if it was to mock her or if he was genuinely interested didn't matter.

She followed him quietly as they walked into the palace’s yard, for her it was the first time to visit the place so as he led the way she focused on looking around. Watching it from the outside was not the same thing as seeing it from the inside, she learnt that now. Somehow the atmosphere inside was different to what it displayed when you just walked past it, to be precise it somehow felt more unpleasant now that she was here. She could not pinpoint why she felt like that, however it quickly disappeared when they went underground.

"So, Miss Eirene, or do you wish Lady deSoleh?"

"You can use the title you prefer, Lord Azura," Eirene’s mind was preoccupied by the scenery in front of her, her mind working intensely because of it. But even if she had been at another place and had gotten the question she would have given him the same answer, it wasn't her choice to make. Not when she spoke with someone positioned so much higher than herself. She would had answered his second question directly if it wasn't for what he had said after. Talking about his Right hand, Eirene had perhaps heard the name of the man from her father but who or what kind of person he were was not something she knew. So she got quiet by the subject, wondering what she was supposed to say about it.

"Shouldn't you be able to ask him? I apologize for my lacking knowledge in the subject, I don't know what would help," She glanced to him when she had at least tried to give him an answer. Instead she looked closer at one of the corpses, the scent did bother her but this was a rare opportunity and she couldn't lose it, "Well, you asked about my study and why just corpses, I don't know if my answer will be to your satisfaction though. I just think it's interesting, perhaps I am macabre then since I find it so intriguing. But if I put it like this, if some sort of God or over mighty being created us, why do we die? It's somehow like our bodies are consumable, isn't it strange that we get weaker and then die? Why wasn't we created to be immortals or at least stronger than we are, the tiniest little thing can kill us - even time. Other than that I've always been interested in seeing what's inside of our bodies, naturally you already know. But I have never got to see it or been told what it could be, to me it's like a mystery. I know it's silly but I can't even imagine what it would be like, when I try I only see it as a hollow package."

"Na'ari? Heh, If I ask him why slice up bandits the way he does he will simply say it's his nature. He doesn't like the death department much either. I can think of a few good ways of getting under his skin at mentioning it." He stated when he heard Eirene ask the question. He then listened to her explain her studies and why.

He found her an intriguing young woman. He even gave a smirk when she said he probably knew what was inside a human body. "When you're a warrior, you see a lot of body parts." he thought slightly bitterly but he kept it to himself. "That is a few fascinating theories. I bet Na'ari would have a fun time trying to explain where the soul is to try and say that's where our concious mind resided. But on the whole, your studies sound rather intriguing." He flashed a small grin to look at least friendly to the strange woman of his tribe.

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"Na'ari? Heh, If I ask him why slice up bandits the way he does he will simply say it's his nature. He doesn't like the death department much either. I can think of a few good ways of getting under his skin at mentioning it."

Eirene raised her eyebrows silently as she glanced at Zianro, the man named Na'ari which he was speaking off sounded like a strange person - as if she was the one to judge. But to be against death or fear it, dislike it, and not be against such violence causing other's to die. He sounded rather interesting, she would like to question him on how he can be against death but be completely fine with murder and apparently extremely violent ones. He seemed to be a very conflicted person, interesting indeed.

To hear their leader speak so much of his Right hand, or Na'ari, did indeed make Eirene wonder who that man was. Not because she would seek him out, but since his name was mentioned i what felt like every sentence she got very curious about him. So she would probably ask her father if he knew who this person could be. Not that she thought that it was something she needed to know or could be counted as some sort of necessary knowledge she would need in the future. But it was mainly because she was curious after listening to the small descriptions.

"I think the soul is placed in the chest, I could imagine it to be something that can't be seen by the naked eye which is a bit sad. I think it would be extremely pretty if we could see it, or look different depending on the person. But that is just what I believe, I would like to find out though," As she finished her sentence she noticed his smile, it was flattering. Not only did he take time to listen to her theories but he didn't even say anything negative about them - sure he could be thinking it, which was not something she would ever know about. But even if he was downgrading her on the inside she didn't care, it was what he showed she appreciated. So she smiled back at him, "There isn't many that would consider my studies intriguing, most would consider them crazy. People fear ghosts and spirits, but I don't."

Zianro gave a shrug to Eirene. "Well, of course people fear ghosts. I'll be frank to be a bit guilty of being haunted by my ancestors." He hated to admit that, but He felt it needed to be said. "But there has to be a natural explanation that borders spiritual. It's like dreams. Impossible dreams, like world peace and such things. Do you have dreams Milady?"

A guard then runs into the room and whispers in his ear as Zianro gives a sigh. "Tell the big guy I'll be with him in a little bit. In the meantime escort his prisoner into the dungeons, intact. We don't want him taking an arm off if he gets miffed." He stated as he turned to the pale woman. "My Right Hand wishes to give me his report on his recent campaign against a few rogue bandits. If you wish to follow me, you may but you may find him boring."

The Wandering River Dragon then turned and headed outside the dungeons, unsure if he'd be followed or not and saw the familiar tall, armored and tough figure that was his young friend. "Na'ari Aurelis! You silly lad. What have you been up to?"

"My Lord, you seem jovial today. My Report is in need to be given about the status of the ring of bandits you sent me against. There were stragglers so there may be a possibility they may become a problem again." The tall man stated, shifting a shoulder slightly to accommodate the weight of his large sword, Draconil.

"It cannot be helped then. Gives you an excuse to keep fighting. I don't know what will happen if you ended up a mercenary again." Zianro said with a chuckle.

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To hear that their leader believed in ghosts took Eirene by surprise, she had always imagined that all warriors avoided such things. Wouldn't that scare them away from wanting to kill people in order to protect themselves from being haunted by the souls of those they had slain? Either way it was an interesting thought he had, about ghost being like dreams. Not that it convinced Eirene that ghosts was something that existed, she couldn't allow herself to think such thoughts since that would lead her to fear her own research in the end. Being too scared of the consequences instead of driven to find the answers.

As she stood and pondered over the things he had said about dreams, what kind of dreams she had a guard entered. She just glanced at them shortly as they talked about things she probably shouldn't listen to. So she didn't, instead she focused her attention on the body in front of her, restraining herself from touching it. Because she wasn't sure if she was allowed to do it, or if it was right of her to even wanting to do it.

"My Right Hand wishes to give me his report on his recent campaign against a few rogue bandits. If you wish to follow me, you may but you may find him boring."

Once again the man had struck her by surprise, that he now offered her to meet that Right Hand and listen to what he had to say felt like an incredible honor. So she lowered her head with a smile, "That would be an honor, Lord Azura."

As he left the room she followed him from a distance, not wanting to bother him. And sure, hearing about some bandits wasn't her prioritize and probably not something she would felt like doing if this was any other day or hour. But her curiosity on what kind of man that Na'ari was, rather than the report alone, made her come along.

When the two men started to talk to each other she observed the new one closely, simply because it was the reason for her to go there. Even if she had been interested in the topic she didn't exactly know what she could say that would be relevant either, and neither was it appropriate for someone like her to invite herself in the conversation and intrude. So she just stood and observed it from a small distance.

"You probably wouldn't have to worry as I think smart about some things and wouldn't abandon home for the world." Na'ari stated as he thought he saw someone at the entrance of the dungeon. "Giving tours of the dungeons to ladies now? The standards must've fallen from you Zian."

"What? Oh! I'm sorry. That's Lord deSoleh's daughter. She's here on an academic purpose." He turned to Eirene as he said that. "My lady, if you like the specimen you were examining earlier, I'll arrange it to be taken to wherever you want it. But come, come, I think you want to introduce yourself properly to my friend here."

"What would she possibly want to study down there?" Na'ari asked, not knowing the evil smirk Zianro slowly formed on his lips.

"The dead. More specifically the corpses." Zianro stated and watched the reaction Na'ari would have. The Right Hand suddenly gagged in his mouth. He felt like he would be sick to his stomach for a few moments and shake a little at the thought of it.

"C-corpses? That's I-interesting. N-not the b-best thing in the world to be studying though, looking at the dead for too long is creepy." Na'ari stated.

"Be afraid Na'ari, my dear young and innocent friend. When you get a few more years into your body you'll get used to it." Zianro stated.

"I'm only twenty!" Na'ari slightly hissed his reply as he saw the woman actually approach. "Uh, hi. I'm Na'ari." He swallowed a bit nervously after his statement.

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As Eirene observed the two males the first thing that struck her was that they seemed close, they were at least enjoying each other’s company since they were joking around even though it was fairly important things they were discussing. Or she guessed that something like bandits were important business. Either way, it sure was intriguing to just watch how they acted in each other’s presence. As it proceeded Eirene started to wonder if this was how all warriors acted around each other, since this was not how she had imagined it at all - somehow her preconceptions had formed this image of them being stern and angry all the time.

"My lady, if you like the specimen you were examining earlier, I'll arrange it to be taken to wherever you want it. But come, come, I think you want to introduce yourself properly to my friend here."

At first she blinked by surprise, she had not thought that she would be invited to join the conversation. But when she was, she smiled quietly and lowered her head in a nod before she slowly approached the two men. As she did she got to watch how the one that had been proclaimed as brutal seemed to lose all the color in his face as her research was mentioned. It amused her slightly, that someone that towered so highly above her and did such things got so scared over such small niceties. But the comment about it being creepy did bother her, it felt like an insult, even though she knew that people thought that already. But hearing someone say it in front of her felt worse.

"Uh, hi. I'm Na'ari."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Na'ari, as Lord Azura said I'm Lord deSoleh's youngest daughter. My name is Eirene and I'm a scholar, I study death," She couldn't help herself even though she knew that this probably wasn't something she should say towards the man. But it was why she did say it, partly because of the insult and because she would like to see if he would act the same way when she mentioned it as he had done when their leader told him about her research. When she had said that she turned around towards Zianro instead and smiled slightly, "Yes, if it's possible I do have a chamber where I keep my research and it would be terrific if I could get a sample there. It and I won't be bothering other people there who find it disturbing. It's located in the basement of my house."

---

Lord Vinicius

---

“Well, I agree I'm one-of-a-kind. Usually its a bad thing, but sometimes its a good thing. Like getting this promotion. Which has been great! The other soldiers, and even regular people actually treat me with respect now. Thank you. For this.”

Promotions, Vinicius was glad that Sholeh liked hers, sadly being king was not such a great promotion for him, knowing that the man that once took his place, his father, is dead. But Vinicius noticed what drove him away from the grief and mourning of the lost was helping others, and Sholeh has shown him that. The way she rejoiced with joy, it made Vinicius want to help others, really to the point that he forgot about the whole you-killed-my-father-now-I'm-going-to-kill-you thing.

“I know you said you don't like parties, but...isn't the whole point of this ball is for you to mingle with the ladies and find a wife. Its going to hard to do that if you're here talking to me.”

Vinicius gave a nervous chuckle, "Actually, I never really talked to a girl. Well, I'm talking to you now, but your about the only person outside of my family. Well, I have spoken to other females like maids, cooks, noble women, but not young girls, well, around my age. Its just that, when my father was still alive, I was a little boy, always my father's shadow. But he never seemed disappointed that I didn't grow up and become a man. I wonder if he ever was though, but just didn't tell me." Vinicius looked down gloomily but shook his head, "But I'm going to do my best not to be angry or sad tonight, I think too much about his murder, it must make me seem moody and emotional. I'm going to have to do better at hiding that, because don't women want strong charming men, not a man on the impulse of his feelings. I don't know, I'm afraid if I approach any lady that I will faint out of anxiety." Vinicius gazed into Sholeh's hazel eyes, "But you, your not like the other girls. I feel... comfortable. Even though when we first met you put me exactly out of my comfort zone. Its probably because you have a love for this nation as do I. And I believe it is the ones fighting for this tribe that love it the most. No matter what happens to me I will always have the heart of a soldier, even when I wear ancient bracers and a flashy crown.

Oh and besides, I think this ball was really for Zaheed because he planned it due to the fact that my mother is--," Vinicius stopped, he remembered that he had not yet spoken to her, he wanted to check up on Ivana before the ball. "Listen, I will be back, I just have to go check up on the queen. I'll be back though." Vinicius was always a family man, loved every single family member, but that love could be seen as a weakness when he is too blind to believe the evil behind his older brother. Vinicius turned walk away from Sholeh, but once the darkness he felt a bag fall over his face, he tried blazing fire from his palm but he felt water gush into his hand, pouring like a waterfall, Vinicius immediately suspected water bender. But eventually he could not suspect anything when unconscious. And he could not possible fight back and be victorious with no sight, dying powers, and striking pain directed to the head.

But Vinicius awoke, but not in a pleasant destination nor position. His wrist and arms were stretched up as they were cuffed with a chain attached to the ceiling. And his ankles shackled to the ground. However Vinicius could not even melt the metal of the shackles, the cuffs were surrounded by ice. So the lord was thinking fast and decided to blow fire from his throat and through his mouth to melt the ice, but as he did a bucket from the ceiling was pulled by some lever to drop water against him. No, Vinicius knew not only was he completely stuck, but completely vulnerable. He no longer had his fancy ball garments, no he was stripped down to nothing but a loin cloth, however what angered him the most was that he didn't have his bracers, for generations kings have worn those ancient arm bracers, his father wore those.

Vinicius was furious he could only give a fierce roar.

---

General Zaheed

---

It had been quite awhile since Zaheed had seen the lord, well the use-to-be lord. But it was not like Zaheed was looking for his brother, he knew exactly where Vinicius was, a special little place, the exact place Zaheed wanted him to be in. But oh, all of this was part of his selfish power-hungry plan, because luckily Vinicius was last seen was Sholeh Kanaka, which made things like blaming someone, easy for Zaheed. He had already sent the front palace guards, the real one, out to search for Vinicius, but gone, but like he wanted. "I know exactly who did this!" Zaheed announced as he stormed to Sholeh.

When finding the woman he clutched her wrist, dragged her to the throne room, another place consumed with crowds, and threw her to the ground, his sword unleashed. "Lord Vinicius is missing all thanks to this bitch! Yes, he was last seen with her!" Every soul in the palace either turned around or gathered to the room to witness the situation as soon as they heard Zaheed loud and booming voice. Palace guards pushed through the people to surround Sholeh. "First my father killed, now my brother kidnapped! I suspect she's a spy working with those who murdered our great King Zarfu! It all makes sense, you're soldier and you must of been informed about our troops' encampment and spread news to the spies, to have my father killed! She is the reason for his death and perhaps soon she will be responsible for Vinicius's death!"

The crowd was shock, angry and indignant towards Sholeh, but you couldn't blame them Zaheed was putting on a good show. But this show may cost Sholeh's life.

Zianro smirked at the two conversing and then he saw a guard nodding in his direction. "Na'ari," he said to a now pale right hand. "I want you to help some of your men with the transport of the corse to the place in question of her research. Think you can handle that for a while whilst I get to these meetings?"

"I-is that an order?" Na'ari asked.

"It is." Zianro replied as he walked away from the two. Na'ari only sighed. He left him alone with a woman that could scare him. This situation felt terrific.

"Alright Milady. I shall be your escort it seems as lord Zianro has a liking to your research." The tall man stated, getting his emotions under control again. "Just point me in the direction of where we should go and we'll go."

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“I think that would best. Treating her in my natural environment would ensure the best results.”

Cailu nodded, yes it was for the best if Ara went with them. If she wasn’t here he could prove to her that he was capable of handling the tribe on his own. Perhaps everything had gotten better when she returned, yes he saw everything in a positive light. He had done good, chosen the best option all by himself. He finally felt grown up, before he had just been a child following orders.

“I assume that means we have a deal. You will give us the food in exchange for supplies and healing your cousin? I promise that I will personally ensure that everyone in the tribe treats her with the utmost respect a guests deserves.”

“You should treat her with respect, she’s the former leader’s daughter and highly appreciated by our tribe. So it’s not only me that will be concerned with it all,” It was not until he said it that he realized how harsh the sentence was. If he hadn’t stopped himself he could had blurted out a threat and it had been extremely close that he had done it, if he had said it he could imagine how it all would have ended. In catastrophe.

“I was planning on spending the night camping with my warriors, but we can leave as soon as tomorrow. Or whenever its convenient for your cousin. I like seeing the world outside of Northpass, so I wouldn't mind a little delay if you need more time to prepare.”

“Oh, we do have some empty rooms in here and I could probably ask our local tavern if they could lend you the rooms they offer as well, you don’t need to set camp outside. You’ve shown that you are here as friends and not foes so you are more than welcome to explore Airedale and what we have to offer. When you want to dine just say that you are visitors of Ara and myself, you don’t have to worry about paying for anything. It’s the least we can do when you show such hospitality as taking Ara with you and treating her.”

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To be left alone with Na’ari felt complicated, sure she was happy that she would receive her testing object but the man himself seemed to whish he was at any other place in the world right now. Not that she felt offended by it, but it was a bit mood swaying to have such a person around her. She couldn’t really enjoy herself as much as she would if it was someone with a more open mind about it.

"Alright Milady. I shall be your escort it seems as lord Zianro has a liking to your research. Just point me in the direction of where we should go and we'll go."

Eirene eyed the tall man up and down again, she wanted to tell him that there was no need for him to act so childish – sighing at the fact that he received such an order. He was acting rather spoiled, or perhaps a bit rude. Something in between the both of those two things, but she didn’t say anything about it just put on a small smile before she gestured with her hand in which direction they would be heading.
“I’ll show you the way so you know where to go,” As she spoke Eirene had already started to walk. And she continued to walk under silence, even though she appreciated being accompanied by someone there was not much she could say to the man since he wasn’t exactly interested in anything she had to say anything about.

When they had made their way over to the other side of the city, still facing the sea a mansion could be seen raise above the smaller houses. Her family did have the reputation about having the ugly personality trait that made them want to brag, which most of them actually did. And their house was the same, a show piece to make everyone around see how supreme they were. Eirene herself found it ridiculous. But still, her family’s wealth did grant her the opportunity to do what she wanted to do. And since she was the youngest daughter she was spoiled, it was not her obligation to continue their family linage, there were others that had already done that. She had nieces.

“I store my research in the basement as I mentioned, you will find the door to the staircase on the eastern outer wall. Follow that staircase and you will find the room I use to explore the afterlife.” If Eirene had gotten another upbringing, or perhaps just a bit more courage about talking back she would give him some sort of snarky comment as revenge for his bad mood but she didn’t say it even though she wanted. Instead she just continued to give him that small smile that couldn’t even be counted as a smile, “I assume you are not interested in seeing what lies behind that door so you can just show the others where to bring the example I’ve been granted.”

"There is no need for your yells, no one will hear you from where we are, Vinicius, or can I still call you Zotar?" Came a voice in the shadows as Zianro slowly emerged from it. "You know who I am, and by consequence where you are and how you got here. But if you're willing to hear me out I can explain the one question remaining out of the four, Why. Why, why is such a complicated word. Whys are existent everywhere, like why did our forefathers come to Imos if to escape persecution alone. Why do our four sides argue, and so on. But we are focusing on why you are here."

Zianro pushed himself from the wall and looked at Vinicius with sorry eyes. "The answer I will speak is the truth no matter how hard you deny it. If you refuse to listen then so be it, but it will make your stay a lot more uncomfortable." He stated calmly. "Someone within your family wanted what you had, and now lost. Someone with hungry ambition, he came to me with promises of leaving me alone if I did this favor for him."

Zianro kept a straight face. "But what I didn't expect, according to my spies, was that he would fly off the handle immediately and blame that red headed vixen. Who knows what he'll do to her-ah ah ah. Watch your temper or another load of water will drench you." He sighed. "If you want what is yours back, you need only ask and we will conspire to rid of our mutual problem, and hopefully achieve a peace between us. So what do you say...Zotar? Will your stay be comfortable, or uncomfortable? Either way doesn't matter to me as I will have what I want in the end. Now make a choice." He took several steps backwards to listen to his reply.

---

Lord Vinicius

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And finally, in the midst of Vinicius's cries, he heard a voice, "There is no need for your yells, no one will hear you from where we are, Vinicius, or can I still call you Zotar?" Vinicius lifted his head up to lay his eyes on Zianro Azura, the king of the water tribe, or formally known as, The Wandering River Dragon. As soon as Vinicius recognized the face, he felt his heart sink to the floor, the regret to be blinded, only focusing on the earth tribe, crushed Vinicius. All he wanted was to make his father proud, and over his own older brother, Zarfu chose Vinicius, and he never wished to shrink from that duty nor be in the hands of his enemies due to the failure. However now, that is exactly what has happened.

"You know who I am, and by consequence where you are and how you got here. But if you're willing to hear me out I can explain the one question remaining out of the four, Why. Why, why is such a complicated word. Whys are existent everywhere, like why did our forefathers come to Imos if to escape persecution alone. Why do our four sides argue, and so on. But we are focusing on why you are here."

Zianro was right, why was a significant word, and even further as Zianro also said, why Vinicius is here. Yes Vinicius was eager to have that question answered, but he was not desperate enough to break, well at least not yet. One reason that Vinicius could perhaps purpose of why he remains a prisoner to the water king, is an obvious one, Vinicius was blind-sided, he should of been more aware of the water tribe. But no, instead Vinicius feared what happened was that he concreted on the earth tribe, and was fixed on acting against them after the ball.

"The answer I will speak is the truth no matter how hard you deny it. If you refuse to listen then so be it, but it will make your stay a lot more uncomfortable. Someone within your family wanted what you had, and now lost. Someone with hungry ambition, he came to me with promises of leaving me alone if I did this favor for him."

So, it was clear who Zianro meant by the someone, and it was not Vinicius's younger brother, no, it was definitely Zaheed. But did Vinicius believe him for one moment, no, not a bit. Vinicius always entrusted his family, his own people over logic, or common sense for that matter. Vinicius was annoyed by hearing this come from Zianro, he would be passionately furious if he was in better state of mind, not being shackled with chains and branded with ice against wrists and ankles. This weak, it would take a lot more to truly kindle this inferno in the cold blizzard.

"But what I didn't expect, according to my spies, was that he would fly off the handle immediately and blame that red headed vixen. Who knows what he'll do to her-" Was it believable that Zaheed would accuse Sholeh for his absence, yes, but Vinicius would not be mad at his brother if he found out that was true, because he expected Zaheed not to know any better. But now was he tipping over the level of being annoyed to anger, yes. He would clench his fist at this moment but with the ice around his wrists, he lost feeling in his hands, as if when he first woke up seeing the blocks of ice he felt the sensation of his hands being sawed off his arms, thus one reason why he cried in a roar. So instead, Vinicius frowned with his teeth showing, giving an ugly scowl. "-ah ah ah. Watch your temper or another load of water will drench you." Every time he felt the down pour of the icy cold water, the closest visual of what Vinicius felt was electrocution threading through his spine leading out through the rest of the parts through his body with piercing thorns hooking into the flesh.

"If you want what is yours back, you need only ask and we will conspire to rid of our mutual problem, and hopefully achieve a peace between us. So what do you say...Zotar? Will your stay be comfortable," Vinicius closed his eyes, he imagined light, he loved the light, fire gave that light, it had a glow of warmth against it. The darkness was cold cruel, something he feared would sacrifice his sanity if he remained it, his mentality poured down the drain the way the water from the buckets clashed against his skin. He could have that light if he cooperated with his enemy. "or uncomfortable?" Vinicius opened his eyes and turned his head up to stare at the large buckets that over filled with water, he could quiver now just imagining the excruciating pain if he were to refuse the offer.

"Either way doesn't matter to me as I will have what I want in the end. Now make a choice."

Vinicius directed his head to the ground, turned away from Zianro as he was thinking. What if he did cooperate with Zianro, maybe he would shortly let Vinicius after then, Vinicius would be able to see his mother, but what son could he be, what worth is it for him to ever come to her, having the nerve to show his face when in the end he surrendered himself to his enemies.

So finally, not even giving Zianro any eye contact, and ignoring his question, Vinicius decided to ask his own question, "Are you the reason why my father is dead?"

---

General Zaheed

---

Zaheed approached the frozen lake with Sholeh in captivity, bound with chains, when they reached their destination Sholeh was released from her cage, where Zaheed gripped her arm, roughly towing her to the frozen body of water, he kept a dagger to her neck, just in case she had any thought to fight back. "This time you will die, and Zotar is no longer here to proclaim it a joke, all thanks to you." Zaheed, lowered the dagger, in order to throw her to the lake, "Have a nice dip, captain!"

Then the walk began, she tried keeping tings slow and steady at first, Zaheed could tell, he studied her every moment, watching closely with intent and full attention. But soon she decided to pick up her pace, causing a foot to be swallowed by the ice, thus the same happening to the foot, until she sunk deep into the water. The lake had eaten her alive. Zaheed could not help but smiled, because at that moment he could already feel the metal of the throne as he had dreamt years and years of sitting on it. And that girl, Sholeh, gave him the belief and reassurance that she sealed his future as king.

Zaheed climbed onto Shadow, where he held the reins of the horse saying to his men, "Coronation begins immediately."

"So, the uncomfortable route then? Ah, alright then, but I believe seastone chains will be more fitting on you, as that ice must be a bit too much, feel any fingers?" Zianro asked before smirking. "A few days of reflection on the past few days for you will be interesting. Oh, and one more thing, I might turn you into a temporary slave if you continue that screaming. Well, ta. I will let you know if your red head survived your brother." The Wandering River Dragon smiled before sauntering out of Vinicius's cell.

Thoughts crept in his mind, if he could find the red headed woman, she would be useful for leverage on the deposed Fire Lord, or in Zianro's mind the more reasonable of the two brothers. He kept having a funny feeling if Zianro left Zaheed alone with his plans with the earth tribe, the moment he'd be done he'd focus on him again.

"I'll need to plan accordingly...."

---

Na'ari listened to the bright haired woman silently, rubbing his neck slightly sheepish of admitting his fear. "It makes me wonder if there's a heaven." Na'ari said softly. "It's where I think my birth parents are. They died in a raid long ago." He smiled ruefully as she apologized.

"Don't apologize, it's just old scars of my childhood." He said as he directed the men carrying the corpse down into the basement, only for one full minute later have the men walk back up without it with pale faces.

"Well it isn't the palace morgue, so of course it's going to look messy you sissies! Now go get a drink I'll join you later." The Right Hand ordered the men as they walked off. "Well, I'm sure my Lord Zianro would love to hear from you after his awkward call to his duties. It's been a pleasure meeting you."

Giving a small smile after watching the woman run to her studies, Na'ari headed off back to the palace, where he'd know he'll be needed. He didn't want to stop for a drink he wanted to discuss the next orders Zianro was to give him.

When he reached there he was met with a bored Zianro on his throne. "Ah, there you are. I'm certain you're here because you want another crack at that ring of bandits." Na'ari nodded his head fervently. "There's a good Right Hand. I expect nothing less from you my friend. But some Intel has been covertly sent to me, concerning two little headaches. Keep an eye out for any Earth Kingdom traveler you meet, but do not use any water from plants. I intend to make that statement law as we need good soil for crops. Keep a canteen on you."

Na'ari only nodded. "And the second?" He asked as Zianro smirked a very knowledgable smirk.

"A woman from the fire tribe should be exiled to here in due time, or already has. Find her and bring her to me. In chains or willingly. The choice is yours in that front. I'll want her for a bargaining chip. Start this task tomorrow Na'ari." Na'ari nodded his head as he left the throne room, hoping to get the bar as soon as possible.

"Seize any suspicious characters, in case this 'serpent' epidemic is nothing more then a murderer on the loose. If it is, I want those responsible not only in chains, but with legs and arms broken. If it is a foreigner's then I will be even more angred. Oh, and wear your shin guards." Zianro said to some of the guards who walked out immediately to inform the soldiers. He had heard of what had happened, and he had to send for the healers to try and save lives before it was too late.

"You damned fool!" He said to himself. "If it is the work of the other tribes what can I do?! I had offered them love and peace, and one of them dares reward it with murder in the night, to wipe us out?! Wait..." Zianro stopped his ranting and half realized several things as he stormed towards the dungeons. He knew he had to see one man and one man alone for suspicions like this.

Upon reaching Vinicius's cell he simply used his own set of keys to unlock the door and walk in, slamming the door on his way in. He looked at an ice cold bucket of water and used his magic to wake up the prisoner. "Wake up Zotar. We are going to talk, more like I'm going to talk and you answer me when I'm done." Zianro stated as he sat on his bucket. "Something is out in my city this very night attacking my citizens. If I find this is a ploy of some kind by some loyalists of yours to try and rescue you and challenge Zaheed I will be very mad. Because I want to help you, really I do. But your hatred for other tribes has got to stop first and realize Imos needs all tribes. Otherwise, I cannot speak for your freedom. I could even make you a slave with a new name. Or I could torture you again and again."

Zianro then smiled a most chilling smile, a smile that also matched the dragon part of his title. "He banished the girl you know. The one you were with. To my lands of all places. Looks like the new King, yes King not Lord, wants all loose ends tied. If Zaheed has his way everything that our forefathers envisioned for us will fade away like moths in a flame."

---

Na'ari was riding through the Water lands in silent patrol, seeking out the Exile his lord was telling him about. Though, he was unsure of where to start, or how to find her. Long had he pondered on how to find her or whom to turn to. He knew of one other exile who was actually a friendly type of person, so maybe it wasn't a bad idea to find and pay him a visit if he was in town.

---

Lord Vinicius

---

A slap of water whipped against the cheeks of the prisoner, Vinicius awoke, shivering, shaking. And though when he awoke trapped, he awoke tremble, always. Because inside he was filled with fire, the only flames left to burn danced wildly in his heart, but they were just flames, no longer an inferno, for the pride has been knocked right out of his lungs as each second passed confined, as each drip slipped against flesh was like a electric pulse drilled in, though rendering him powerless.

"Wake up Zotar. We are going to talk, more like I'm going to talk and you answer me when I'm done."

Vinicius was not in the mood for any type of communication with Zianro, well more like he doubt he had full mental capability, for his physical being had taken a toil, no food, no heat for the once praised fire lord. But was he insane, well, it depended who you were asking. But the only type of insanity he was filled with was one turned to violence, blood, vengeance. And yes, did he before want vengeance? Yes, of course, what boy would not wish to avenge the murder of his beloved father, especially if that boy clearly witness the slaughter? But now, things were personal, more personal than they have ever been. Sure Vinicius has always hated the water tribe, really any tribe that is not his, but that was just the fire tribe as a people. Its like once they are torn for the womb they are drilled with a slogan of, We are the best, and damn everyone else. But that was because the fire tribe has not only been known to be a people of pride, but one of anger, and those two traits can spur war, war then forging hate. But now, was far beyond war, Vinicius experienced something else, this right here, this was utter torture. So if possible, Vinicius was far beyond hate.

"Something is out in my city this very night attacking my citizens. If I find this is a ploy of some kind by some loyalists of yours to try and rescue you and challenge Zaheed I will be very mad. Because I want to help you, really I do."

If Vinicius could he would of tightened his fist, tense his muscles, as if he was ready to fight, though no matter what his mind wanted his body was far too weak, too deprived. And though the ice had melt, Vinicius could no longer feel his hands nor feet, they had gone completely numb. But Vinicius had an issue with Zianro's last sentence, it was a sickening lie to Vinicius that had only twisted even further the thorns of his revulsion.

"Otherwise, I cannot speak for your freedom. I could even make you a slave with a new name. Or I could torture you again and again."

And one day, people, even his friends, if Vinicius ever escapes, will wonder what happened to Vinicius. Why all the hate, violence, and bloodlust? It was because of moments like this, that uprooted something ugly inside of him. And when he believed there was no possible way to become any more bitter, Zianro then spoke these words, "He banished the girl you know. The one you were with. To my lands of all places. Looks like the new King, yes King not Lord, wants all loose ends tied. If Zaheed has his way everything that our forefathers envisioned for us will fade away like moths in a flame."

Even if Zaheed did all of that, if he did capture Sholeh and exile her, Vinicius still did not paint his big brother as the bad guy, but Vinicius sympathize him, for Vinicius claims he would do the same thing, find blame to fill the sadness, but Vinicius choses not to believe the whole story, the bigger picture.

"Zianro, there will never be an us between you and me, and if us concerns you and your people, I hope they enjoy the heat."

Zianro's smile silently fell. "To think I believed you to be a man of respect. Your father chose the wrong man to groom then it seems. I wanted to share my dream of a balanced Imos with you, but it seems you are as blind as both your father and Zaheed." He rose from his seat in his statement. "Maybe I'll keep you here longer until revelation hits you over the head to increase your vision. Maybe I'll enslave you. But rest assured, until I have what I know is needed for the entire continent, you will never escape my sight. I will plague your mind like a gnat. We are so alike. Stubborn, isolated, longing for the touch of a woman. But I think that's where the similarities end."

Zianro turned to leave. "I'll give you updates on your family whenever I hear of it. Until then, make yourself comfortable." Zianro sighed as he walked out of his cell and back to his palace. All the while he was sure that whatever was currently going on in lakeshore is causing pandemonium. He whistled for the captain of the city guard.

"Search for anyone not of the Town, or tribe. If he or she is the elusive Serpent, arrest him. If they resists arrest...bring me their head." Zianro instructed as he sat on his throne, brooding.

---

---

---

---

"Very well, the servants can give you a tour of the palace including the library, but for me now, I must harvest military plans."

While the king spoke Deborah only granted him a short glance, she didn't give him a nod in agreement or a proper answer. Why? There wasn't a good reason for her to act like that, it was not like he had said anything to offend her in that statement. She had already known that he would leave as soon as he had gotten this over with. The reason for her to act that was simply because she was a sullen person. And it was sort of a silent statement that she could do whatever she wanted to and if it was to ignore him then so be it. It was not like he had time to argue because of such actions at times like these and Deborah knew it.

She listened to the footsteps on the stone tiles as he left the room with her back towards the door but as soon as he left she turned around and was just about to leave the room. It wasn't like she believed she was allowed to leave the room but neither did she think that she was a prisoner, they hadn't locked the door. But with the hand on the doorknob she stopped to listen to the discussion outside instead. Hearing the thud from something dropping to the floor and the couching Deborah made sure to at least try to make a mental note about what could happen if she try to take up to much space and authority. But somehow she believed that the note would disappear in the mist of thoughts with time, or perhaps it would be gone tomorrow.

Hearing the footsteps get more distant out there in the hallway she opened the door again and walked outside, not to ask the servant how he felt or if he needed help. No, the only thing she honored him with was a silent look. Not even of concern but of derogatory. With that she simply left the room, deciding by herself that she was going to be her own guide. It was not like she needed someone to show her around. How hard could it be?

---

---

---

---

Eirene had spent all evening and probably most of the night inside her basement making notes on what she had discovered, not something new for the world. But something new for her. And that was mainly what mattered, she wanted to learn new things. She wanted to gain more knowledge, as long as she discovered something new every day it was a good day. Not that this day had been bad even without it. No, she believed that this day had been an extremely good one even without the wonders of what a human’s body could hide.

When she was done she washed her hands and the equipment’s in the bowl of water she had prepared beforehand. She let all the candle's flame dies out so the room fell in complete darkness, but even if the room itself was like a pitch black hole around her and the single candle she held in her hand. With it she left the room by walking up the stairs, while she locked the door to the staircase she noticed something however. Even if it was faint something could be heard in the night, screams. In wonder Eirene walked over the grass and to the front of the house, gazing out into the night, wondering why it was such a ruckus outside this night. It didn't seem to be full grown panic so it couldn't be an attack, but what could steer such emotions then?

She was just about to walk out the gate as someone grabbed her shoulder so sudden that she dropped the candle in her hand. The little flame started to burn the grass surrounding it, but the small fire didn't have a chance since the one who grabbed her scooped water out of the ocean by only his will and made it travel to the small flames. The one who had grabbed her was no one else but her oldest brother, Eden, he had not moved an inch while executing the little quenching assignment, "Father wants you to come inside, it's not safe out there."

Eirene wrinkled her forehead as she watched her older brother, she found it odd that he were there. He had his own house with a wife and kids, he should be with them at this time of night. And even though she wanted to go out to see what was happening she followed him inside the house again while glancing backwards, out at the night, with longing eyes.

When they arrived inside she saw something even stranger, everyone was awake. Even her father who would need to get up early in the morning to return to the palace and his duties. Somehow she started to wonder if it was something she had done, nervously she started to fiddle with the dark blue dress she wore. But what could she have done? A thought that jumped around in her mind was of course the body she stored down in the basement, but if they knew about it and didn't like it, shouldn't they have told her before?

While she stood there and thought to herself her father started to speak, declaring why everyone had been gathered. Well everyone but one. It struck Eirene as she looked around the room that Embla, her older sister by two years, was missing. She wondered if it could be so that she had run away from home since she had just been promised to a man Eirene knew Embla disliked. It was not that he was a bad man, it was because Embla were in love with someone else but their father would gain more by giving him to the other.

Her train of thoughts was interrupted once more by her father explaining that Embla had left the house earlier this evening, father had seen her himself but decided not to stop her since he felt like she would escape home if he had done so. But this night was a dangerous night to be out in, which was why Eirene had been stopped as she tried to leave. Words had been told that an assassin had gotten inside the city and was out there. Embla was still out there and no one knew where she was.

As soon as their father had explained it all he told her older brother's that they needed to join him in the search. The four of them left the house, leaving Eirene and her younger brother alone. Both of them stood in the doorway watching as their family rushed out into the night to find the lost member.

Na'ari soon came upon a house in his riding, close to the shore, and knew if he would have any luck finding an exile, a remote house near the lake would be the perfect place to find them, so first he'd search there. He approached the door, but hesitated in knocking, if someone else answered it would be embarrassing for him as a Right Hand. So, thinking on his feet, he knocked on the door and said, "Belistrad. If you're in there, give me a reply knock." Then, if Na'ari received no reply, then he'll know he's at the wrong house, and thus, he waited.

---

Zianro rubbed his temples. He had heard rumors of what the guards were doing and that several aristocrats were in shock about the whole thing. "This is the last thing I wanted. A place that's afraid...whoever did this wanted my people to be afraid. Not me, my people. Whoever did this they're going to pay, and they'll pay heavy. Then I'll calm the people's fears."

He was approached by a guard. "Sir, we've caught one plausible suspect. A water exile. We see no reason to further the search any furt-"

"Seek out more anyway. Any foreigner who even looks suspicious, detain." Zianro stated. He silently vowed in his mind that he would not be made a fool of.

Ignore, again. >.<

It was cold, it was dark and at first, Lu Feng had no idea what was going on. A soft groan escaped the black haired youth’s lips as his eyes fluttered open. His throat felt as though it were on fire and the wound in his side hurt terribly. In fact, his entire body felt awfully sore. He coughed rawly, trying to hoist himself into a sitting position to make it easier to breath, yet found it rather difficult as his hands were tightly bound at his front. Instead he felt a pair of bony hands grab him under his shoulders and sit him up — something which startled Lu Feng. He hadn’t noticed the other person until then, yet once he thought about it, it made sense. It was probably the same person who’d tended to and bandaged his wounds. He tried to turn his head to get a better look at the man, yet instead suddenly felt something press against his lips. As he opened his mouth to protest, he could feel cool water sipper down his throat. Lu Feng swallowed eagerly, for his throat felt awfully dry. Yet Lu Feng was perhaps too greedy, as he soon found himself coughing heftily. The water bottle was withdrawn as those bony hands pounded his back. His airways were freed, but not without causing half of the water he’d had in his mouth to splatter all over his clothes.

”Got to drink carefully, boy. Don’t want you to die before you’ve even been given a trial,” the elderly man said with a small smile. For the first time since he’d woken up, Lu Feng managed to get a good look at him. He was fairly average in height, with a bald head and a gaunt but kind face. His eyes, a beautiful blue hue, matched the strange tattoos on his head, forehead and the back of his hands perfectly. It seemed like Lu Feng was being tended to by a village priest and healer.

A slight frown creased his forehead. ”T-tria…” suddenly all the memories from earlier came flowing back. Guards. They’d been hunting for whatever reason. He’d been stabbed. He fell…he fainted? So it seemed. Lu Feng’s entire body tensed and despite the pain it caused, he tried to move away from the man, ultimately bumping into the cold stone wall. Since he was already close to the corner of the cell, that had been the only possible outcome — yet Lu Feng had still been too groggy and upset to notice. He scowled discontentedly, glaring daggers at the priest as the old man tried to reach out a helping hand towards him.

”Don’t touch me!” Lu Feng warned venomously, causing the slightly surprised elder to withdraw his hand. ”What is this?! Why am I here?! Let me go. I haven’t done anything so you have no reason to keep me here. Ask-” and there he cut himself off. Where is Toru, even? Did they just go after me, or did they detain him also? Stupid tiger, always absent when he’s needed the most.

”You’ve got to calm down, child. Working yourself up over all this isn’t good for your health,” the old man answered mildly, smiling at him just slightly. It annoyed Lu Feng that he seemed to completely ignore his questions. ”You’ll be interrogated in a while. For now, try to rest for a bit. Your body needs it,” said the priest as he gathered his belongings and got up. He waited briefly for Lu Feng to say something, yet the exile kept his mouth clamped, gazing sulkily at the wall. Being treated like a prisoner certainly was not his cup of tea. In fact, he could feel a small level of panic rise within him. This dungeon cell reminded him of- stop it, moron. Dwelling on the past won’t get you anywhere.

Na'ari thought about it and gave a small shrug. "I know not if he has a new prisoner or not. And I doubt he plays favorited. I would have to be in town to figure out this sort of news. I was away hunting bandits mind you." He stated, gulping another swallow of tea. "All I know right now is his flirting with a local noble's daughter. But what's this theory of yours, since I know you got one inside you?"

---

Zianro knew he had to go have a look at the man they caught, however, he ordered his guards to examine every unknown individual in the city, foreigner or no. He walked into the cell holding the man and his eyes turned wide. "Lu Feng." He said in a small gasp, he knew this exile's reputation. "The blood manipulator. There is no way in all of Imos you're the perpetrator I want, yet, as I remember, you were exiled for your ability, Crimson Wolf. Why did you dare to come back here at the wrong place at the wrong time? Why did the guards, upon recognizing you thought you'd serve as a scapegoat for my wrath if they found nothing? Are you even aware of what's going on?"

Zianro's patience was at the edge at this moment. None of his talks with Vinicius helped. He needed the one trump card he knew was somewhere in his lands no thanks to Zaheed. If he could find her, he could convince Zotar to join his cause for universal peace, and find a way to calm the Earth Tribe and to possibly stop Zaheed from destroying them and causing an imbalance amongst Imos. "Why did you come back, Wolf?"

The creaking sound caused by the opening of the cell alerted Lu Feng to Zianro’s arrival. He glanced up, his eyes narrowed into a slight frown. Seeing the leader of the water tribe caused his stomach to turn. A heap of bad memories welled up inside him, yet he pushed it all back. He couldn’t allow himself to show weakness in a situation as important as this one. Lu Feng had no idea what this all was about, but he had the feeling if he said something wrong, he may lose his had in the process. It wasn’t exactly a risk he was willing to take. Or was it? He wasn’t sure. Overcome by a sense of hopelessness, he wasn’t sure what to do or think.

"The blood manipulator. There is no way in all of Imos you're the perpetrator I want, yet, as I remember, you were exiled for your ability, Crimson Wolf.”

The crystal manipulator, Lu Feng corrected the man in his head, yet kept his thoughts to himself. If Ziarno didn’t know what his abilities were, he may as well keep it that way. Should a battle between them ever arise, he’d have an advantage over the town chief.

”Why did you dare to come back here at the wrong place at the wrong time? Why did the guards, upon recognizing you thought you'd serve as a scapegoat for my wrath if they found nothing? Are you even aware of what's going on?”

”How the hell am I supposed to know?” Lu Feng replied wryly, shooting the water tribe leader a glare. Sighing, he tried to stifle a yawn, feeling extra grumpy due to how tired he was. If they hadn’t disturbed his sleep to begin with, this wouldn’t have been a problem. ”It’s not my problem you’re guards are so eager to please, they’ll detain anyone without proof,” his voice was bitter and filled with resentment, ”I always did hate the sheepish behavior of the water tribe people…” he knew he wasn't answering any of Ziarno's questions. Quite frankly, he felt like most of them were none of his business. Yet he supposed one was a question he could answer.

Lu Feng's lips curled into a slight smile. "You've got your hands full with an assassin, haven't you?"

Zianro scoffed at the statement about the sheepishness of the tribe. "You and me both." he thought as he frowned at the Crimson Wolf's next question, and he motioned him to keep quiet. "Look, no one is sure of anything, yet as far as that goes. From what I hear there have been three deaths in one night so that's highly suspicious. I doubt it would be you, however you broke the rules of exile Lu Feng. You shouldn't have come back. I'll bend the trial a little bit so you can get out of this with a fine for breaking exile custom. But this comes with a price."

He looked at the man before sighing and continuing. "You are to not get caught in here again, and I want you to make sure that there isn't any other... Suspicious individuals. That'll be all for now." He concluded as he walked out of the cell and into the throne room where he'd try to discuss this awkward matter with his advisers. But he realized Adviser DeSoleh was missing, and therefore the assembly would never start.

"Guards, stop rounding up any foreigners, but keep the city walls under heavy watch. If something attempts to leave her the unconventional way, detain them." He instructed as he grabbed a soldier patrolling the area of the DeSolehs. "Why is Adviser DeSoleh absent?"

"His eldest daughter Embla my Lord, is dead." The guard replied and Zianro stayed his annoyed wrath at those words. His thoughts turned immediately to the young woman Eirene. He was unsure why he thought on her, but of course, why not? Eirene was a mysterious woman to him, yet he liked mysteries at times. However, he needed to focus for now. If she decided to visit that was her own accord.

"Look, no one is sure of anything, yet as far as that goes. From what I hear there have been three deaths in one night so that's highly suspicious. I doubt it would be you, however you broke the rules of exile Lu Feng. You shouldn't have come back. I'll bend the trial a little bit so you can get out of this with a fine for breaking exile custom. But this comes with a price."

Wait, what? Confusion was evident on Lu Feng's features as he tried to make sense of the other males words. Yet all he got out of it in the end was a bitter chuckle and a remorseful sigh. So that was what they were referring to him as now, eh? It didn't matter if he'd been officially exiled or not, apparently. The water tribe had just proceeded to doing whatever they wanted anyway. As usual, then. I swear, these morons are the worst. As far as Lu Feng had been aware, he'd left on his own accord. Well, not really, but he certainly hadn't been exiled. For god's sake, he was only eleven at the time! Perhaps the other male had just gotten it wrong... or he'd done it on purpose in hopes of indebting Lu Feng somehow. Either way, the crystal bender was a lot more cautious of him now than he had already been.

He was just about to protest about Zianro's incorrect claim when the water tribe leader spoke again, saying that was all before leaving. Lu Feng was annoyed. Lu Feng was always annoyed, but now more so than usual. "That's just great," he muttered sourly, trying once more to get back up on his feet. A jolt of pain travled from his side, up his spine and along his arms. He hissed, biting his bottom lip to prevent anything louder from escaping him. A pale hand traveled to the location of the wound, pressing against it lightly only to draw another hiss from the youth. It seemed the sudden movement had torn at the wound.

Lu Feng's breaths were sharp an uneven and his body felt hot. His head felt heavy, his heart hammering in his chest. "Fuck..." I don't have time with this. Toru...Toru, where the bloody hell are you?! Leaving me here to rot in a damn dungeon... he shut his eyes, feeling sick to the very core of his stomach. Why... why had he agreed to visiting Lakeshore?

---

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---

"But these are just mice. Come, let me show you the true wonder of this power."

If Deborah had been interested to find out what the king had wanted to show her before it was nothing compared to what she felt now. She wasn't sure what it was that she felt so for but she just found it all very thrilling. So of course she followed the king closely behind as he walked out and made way to the dungeons. She found it odd at first but then the pieces started to fall into place.

When he entered one of the cells Deborah just stood in the opening watching what was happening, listening to the words that were said. Deborah didn't care the slightest about traitors, and she doubted that the king cared about such things either. He had said it to her personally, that he didn't care about the tribe. He cared for himself. And that was what she thought trigged the king's anger, that the man had spoken badly of king Zaheed himself. She found it rather funny that he claimed that it was the treason that bugged him.

As he displayed his ability once more but this time on an actual human Deborah stayed away this time, she had seen it up close once so she just kept her distance. It was still just as amazing as the first time she saw it, if not even more this time around. It was not that Deborah was a horrid person, okay she was. She couldn't help but delight in the ability and the way the creatures died. It was all so terrific.

At least Deborah believed that until the king himself fell to the ground, and as he did she stood still just watching him. There were a lot of unusual words in his descriptions of the powers. What he called it to name two, she translated them to extremely hot and possibly extremely cold. At least that's was what it looked like having him shivering and stuttering on the floor, suddenly his earlier behavior didn’t seem so odd anymore. If this was the results of him practicing his new ability she could understand his earlier personality change.

Without moving Deborah just smacked her mouth, "So, what now king? Should I save you or just ignore it?" She was just being mean, she had no reason to let him freeze to death. If she did that it would only lead to her own death, she was the last one being around him when he died. She would be blamed for it.

Without waiting for an answer, because she doubted she would get one, she just walked over to him and crouched down, "No worries, king. You have me on your side. I won't let you die, so I guess I should warm you up then?" With that sentence her globe of light appeared from her palm, floating in the air. She let it grow until the heat of it could be felt inside the whole room, making her who wasn't cold at the moment get small sweet drops covering her face. The thing about Deborah's light was that it wasn't just pretty, it was warm as well. The best description of it would probably be that she created small sun's that she controlled, and the bigger she let them get the darker the color they had got while the heat got more intense.

While the globe floated in the air in front of the king she started to rub his limbs to get the circulation going again, she guessed that it worked like that. Deborah didn't know, she had no clue about anything when it came to the body and its anatomy. But it wasn't like she could ask the king either since he was so cold that the only thing that had left his mouth in the end was words she couldn't even distinguish because of his horrible stuttering.

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The nest day when Eirene woke up the night before seemed to be a dream. It sounded so unlikely that someone had died, wasn't that just too ironical? If it was because Eirene had lost the true meaning of death after thinking about it so much or something blocking the tears and sadness Eirene couldn't answer. She just didn't feel sad, well not the way she knew she should be experiencing it. She wasn't crying, she wasn't unable to get out of bed in the morning. She just felt empty, as if something was missing. Horrible enough she even thought to herself if she would be allowed to study the body later. She knew the answer to that already, it would be no. So there was no meaning to even ask.

When Eirene made her way out of her bedroom she found the house to be oddly quiet, it was as if the whole building had sunken deep down into slumber. Not even a single sound could be heard, and as she walked around looking for the others she didn’t find anyone. In the end she was standing in the middle of the living room and wondering if everyone was still sleeping because she had not been bold enough to check their chambers. That would be too intrusive of her, but while she passed her father’s room she could hear sounds be made from the inside. It was odd because usually he would be at the palace by now, she lightly knocked on the wood.

The sound from the inside stopped and soon enough the door opened, through the gap she looked up at her father's swollen face. It looked as if he hadn't gotten any sleep that night, his eyes red and watery. Eirene had seen this happening before, when her mother passed away so she knew he had been crying. But not even the look of her father's crying face made it sting in her chest, she still felt empty. As if her emotions had taken an vacation and left her body.

With a rough and rasping voice her father tried to force forward a smile, it turned out to be a grimace instead, "Oh, it's you Eirene... Do you need something?"

Eirene just shook her head while still looking up at him without blinking, "No, I'm good. I heard sounds from the inside and found it odd, you're usually not at home this late in the mornings."

For a short moment surprisement got displayed on the man’s face when he realized how sunny it was outside, because inside his room the curtains where still covering the windows making the whole room look as if it was still night, "Oh, I'm sorry dearie... I didn't realize... Uhm... Actually, I have something I would like you to do. I meant to go and give them this by myself but I guess I forgot..." With that her father disappeared for a short moment, hurrying into the room again while Eirene stood and waited outside the door. When he returned he placed an envelope in her hands before stroking her head softly, "This, give the king and the other's this. It's my resignation letter."

For the first time this morning Eirene got thrown off guard, she stared down at the letter and was just about to ask her father what he meant but the door had already been shut close again. It still confused her however, for him to do something like that just because of the death of Embla. Perhaps he blamed himself or his work, that it somehow was a part of why she had died along with three other's that night.

Even though Eirene never got her answers to why her father decided to withdraw his position as an adviser she walked over to the palace, she doubted that anyone else of her siblings would do it. While inside she told the guards of her reason to visit and told them that her father had requested her to deliver the message personally. In the end she did get the directions to which she would be heading and so she walked through that stunning place again, taking every ounce of it inn with her wide opened eyes.

When she finally arrived to the place the guards had directed her too she knocked lightly on the door once again and waited for an invitation. When she got one she entered the room and walked over to their leader and held out the letter, "It's from my father. He wanted to give it to you by himself but he... is unable to leave his room at the moment. Oh!" On the inside Eirene cursed her forgetfulness and she curtseyed, "It's a pleasure to meet again, my Lord."

Zianro stopped short when his previous thoughts were answered when the platinum blonde mystery woman that was Eirene DeSoleh arrived. She gave her announcement before curtsying late, Zianro chuckled at that. Something new and refreshing. Both things he'd pay no mind too, it would make the isolating feeling of being the ruler of the tribe much less of a burden. "A letter you say? Let me see, your father should've been here by now I expected he was half-ill or something." He said in a calm matter as he opened the letter and took it out and began to read it.

His smile turned to a small frown. His left hand trembled with shock and anger, but he had to keep himself calm with what he read. He didn't feel like holding an assembly about the events of last night. "All advisers, the assembly is cancelled. We will discuss recent and current events at a later date. You may return to your homes. Miss DeSoleh stay awhile." He stated as he waited for his advisers to leave as he sighed in relief.

"Thought they'd never leave. However, what your father has done now is make my life even more miserable. The fool. Does he know how long it takes to pick a successor? I'm gonna have to pick one of your siblings or even you, but I doubt you'd want that kind of job." Zianro rubbed the temples of his forehead, he then breathed deeply and sighed with slight annoyance. "Being a ruler is so Lonesome! The palace feels like an isolated dungeon when the ruler doesn't have a spouse or issue, something your father and some of the other advisers were trying to push on me... But I digress, the reason for your father's resignation is personal, and I quite understand that. Your sister, correct? A thousand apologies and my condolences."

Zianro stood from his throne and bowed courteously, to mimic her lateness in her curtsy. He found the delay of courtesy quite fun to do every once in awhile.

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For a while Deborah was wondering if she was doing the helping right, if it was this that she should be doing. Sure, she could go and ask the guards for help to bring the king up from the cold dungeons but something told her that he wouldn't have appreciated her doing so. But however, Deborah had never been forced to help someone recover from such severe hypo... hype... whatever he had called it. Coldness. But when the king moved again, even rose to his feet’s, Deborah patted herself on the back mentally for succeeding.

"Amazing... And I'm not talking just about your powers, you are already know how impressed I am with your abilities. But what you did... I admire your loyalty. Glad to have you on my side."

For a short moment Deborah lost her focus and just blinked at the praise, she had heard him praise her persona once before. But now he did it again, it wasn't her light, he actually called her amazing. That short moment when she got completely distracted was the exact moment the light she had created died out as well, it imploded and vanished from what the eye could detect. Even though she found it rather humiliating that her surprise was shown so clearly it wasn't anything she could do anything about when it already was done so she just straightened up her back again and shrugged slightly. Acting as if it was nothing, a child’s play, easy, "You are absolutely right in that statement. Indeed, I am amazing. It's not a secret."

If Deborah was even the slightest embarrassed from stating such a thing? No, not even a little. If there was something someone would learn after getting to know Deborah it was the fact that she was extremely self-centered. All was about her and what was best for her. And of course the king's satisfaction with her were what was best for her and she never said no to compliments. She adored them, even though she wasn't that used to hearing them come from others. But that was even nicer.

Cocky enough she added with a grin, "Well, you're not so bad yourself. But I can understand that's it's hard to surpass someone like me." If she regretted it after letting it leave her lips? No, actually not. She had just saved the man the man - according to herself, she felt like she deserved to act this way. And it was not an uncommon act coming from her.

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Eirene watched quietly as their leader spoke to his advisors and the how they all left the room. It was not like she wanted to disturb anything important, however, she doubted that it was what she had done. Her father had been missing and they couldn't make any decisions without hearing his opinion too. But that time was over now, she knew it but it was still hard to accept. To think of her father as something as simple as just a noble it just didn't fit him. Or fit the previous version of her father, a new one had emerged.

When they were alone she took her time studying Zianro as he read the letter her father had written. Not even she knew what it contained, or she knew the basic information but not how detailed it was or which words her father had used. But by the expression that was shown she doubted it was good ones. Perhaps she was a bit creepy were she stood and just watched without blinking, but that was sadly the way she was. She liked to observe, she found pleasure in doing so.

"However, what your father has done now is make my life even more miserable. The fool. Does he know how long it takes to pick a successor? I'm gonna have to pick one of your siblings or even you, but I doubt you'd want that kind of job."

When the mentioned of her Eirene just yanked slightly backward with a disturbed look in her eyes, to be positioned as her father's successor was the last thing she wanted to happen to her. She was not even a little interested in politics and such a position would force her to dedicate her life to such things. No, that was not something for her.

"Being a ruler is so Lonesome! The palace feels like an isolated dungeon when the ruler doesn't have a spouse or issue, something your father and some of the other advisers were trying to push on me... But I digress, the reason for your father's resignation is personal, and I quite understand that. Your sister, correct? A thousand apologies and my condolences."

"Oh, yes. Father couldn't handle the news, he didn't even want to get out of his chamber to greet me this morning, he just handed me the letter. I think he blames himself for what happened to her, that his position was what brought that upon her." There was no fuss, Eirene got right to the point and spoke of her thoughts about the issue, she didn't see why she would need to avoid the topic. As mentioned her emotions about it all was defected. "Anyway, if the successor needs to be someone from my family I would advise you to take my oldest brother in consideration. He like politics and has been discussing it with father since he got old enough, he's a strong mage as well. I do think you would like him, I like him. He's nice."

Zianro mused over it all. What Eirene told him was just as he expected, and how he thought the responsibility was flat out on his shoulders to give out. When she suggested his brother he mused over it. The fact she says she liked him as a good choice sounded reliable. He smirked, "You're very considerate and thoughtful. I will look into your brother as soon as possible. However, that leaves to me, one minor issue. You did a great service in delivering me your father's letter. That should not go unrewarded."

He looked around to make sure no one was listening. "So, if you're not too busy, maybe we can simply have lunch together today? Or maybe have it with you and your brother present. As friends getting to know each other of course, I mean nothing forward by it. Would you be interested? If not today we can surely arrange a day. I leave it up to you Lady Eirene." He gave a genuine smile instead of a playful smirk, or a political smile. He didn't like being alone in his palace all the time, and talking to his advisers was beginning to be repetitive. Find a perfect wife this, and quell the Fire tribes' wrath that. He knew he had to do all that.

But he half wished he could get to know all the women in the continent and take his pick. Any woman he felt was good but not good enough he'd throw Na'ari's way and see how he'd do.

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Eirene was satisfied with hearing that their leader would consider the oldest sibling to take their father's place, if Zianro choose to do so she could only picture how happy it would make her brothers. It wasn't so that she would point out that she was the one that recommended him, she didn't need the credit. She would be satisfied with just lightening up his mood a little after the loss of their sister. It would probably lighten everyone’s mood a little, make them proud of him.

But something that was totally unexpected was that Zianro apparently wanted to treat her for lunch because she brought the letter to him. She didn't think that what she had done was so special, it wasn't that hard. She had just used her legs and walked over here, so far wasn't it either. But it was not like she was going to refuse his offer, if he felt like that was something he wanted to do to reward her it was fine with her. But she guessed it had mainly something to do with what he had talked about before, how lonesome it was in the palace. She figured that his proposal probably was more about his need than hers.

Even though she thought that she just bowed her head down slightly with a calm smile, "Of course, my Lord. If that's what you wish for that's what we will do. I don't have any specifically plans today and even if I had some they wouldn't be in the way for your request. It's an honor to be granted such a privilege."

Na'ari ducked backwards in shock from Belistrad's sudden assault. He landed straight on is back an his eyes widened. "Have you lost your mind?!" He yelled out. He genuinely could not understand what was going on. He gripped his sword's handle tight as he glowered. He just wanted information not a fight. Plus he couldn't tell if the woman Belistrad was protecting was the one he was looking for.

"Enough! Cut it out right now! You crazy loon, what's your problem?!" He shouted as he opened his canteen and threw a whip around his opponents feet to knock him off balance as that he could put the weight of his armored boot on top of him to pin him. "I just came for info! I wasn't even prepared for a fight you got that?! I swear to God, if it wasn't for the fact there was a woman present I'd knock you out!"

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Zianro smiled. "It is an honor you are considerate. Most find me quite the boring to have a nice lunch with conversations with me." He stated. "I'll make sure the cook will be informed I'll have a guest for lunch so that the necessary arrangements are made. I'll have someone send for your brother so that he can gain his father's position as adviser. I'd love to get to know his character." With that, he sat on his throne with a content smile on his face. He half wondered what on earth Na'ari was doing at that exact moment in time.

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Eirene only nodded in response to what Zianro said, she couldn't find anything that actually needed to be said. She felt like everything had already been brought up, but she felt sort of happy about the arrangement. She wondered what kind of facial expression her big brother would make when he found out what was going to happen, she bet it would look funny. Sadly she wouldn't be able to see it.

Early that morning Eden had left the mansion to return to his own family, it was not that he wanted to be away from them or even stay in his family house. It was more like he had been forced to do so by his father, the man was a mess after they had discovered Embla lying in the middle of the street surrounded by people that had been out that night. Including her lover, Eden blamed him for what had happened. If he hadn't lured out Embla in the middle of the night this wouldn't have happened - at least that was what Eden thought.

When he again was reunited with his family, his own wife and kids, Eden immediately felt better. Of course he still felt bad for the loss of his sister, they were related. But it was not like they had spent that much time together as they grew up, they were busy with being raised in different ways. She was raised to become a great wife and woman while he was introduced to politics and his father’s work. He had been pretty distant to every one of his younger siblings since he was the chosen the one, the one that his father planned to take on his legacy, take up the position in the palace. Not that Eden minded, but he had always felt a bit different from the others. He couldn't even relate that much to his younger brothers since they hadn't been taught politics either, their training had been focusing on battle. Eden was the one trained to use his brains while the other's was trained to use their muscles.

He had planned to spend the day with his wife - Yvette, discussing what had happened to his family, listening to her opinions since what he found attractive about her was her mind. She was always a good listener and thoughtful, a good person to discuss things with since she always could come up with new perspectives that not even Eden himself had thought of. But that plan was interrupted when someone suddenly was standing outside the door knocking on it, the message that was delivered was shocking. Or more like confusing. Eden wondered if it could be true what was said and did think of refusing at first but after being persuaded by Yvette he accepted and followed the man.

When they arrived at the palace Eden couldn't barely believe his eyes, that he had been invited to meet the leader for the first time in his life. It was huge. More than huge. It was as if all that he had been training for his whole life was just in his reach, so close but yet so far. Eden had no idea that his father had resigned from his mission, leaving the position open for Eden to take. But just the feeling of getting inside the palace made Eden's heart beat so hard that it felt like it would burst any second, he was so excited but scared at the same time. He felt like fainting, like his whole life from now on depended on this moment.

Once outside the great hall Eden tried to calm his breathing, act like someone noble, someone that should be used to this sort of things. But he could feel it - that his future awaited him on the other side of the wooden doors and to be frankly it freaked him out. But even though he couldn't calm down completely he stepped inside the room, at first his eyes was immediately drawn to their leader. Seeing him in person for the first time that was special, even though Eden was older than the man he still felt respect for him. But just some short seconds after his eyes were directed towards the second person who was there, someone Eden hadn't been counting to be there. His youngest sister, Eirene. But it was not like it surprised him that much that she was in there, she had a tendency to do things no one else would do. So casually starting to hang out with the leader was probably one of the less odd things she had decided to do.

The tall man bowed deeply towards the other male, "I'm extremely flattered that you asked for me, my Lord. I'm Eden deSoleh, but I figure you already know that since you are accompanied by my little sister at the moment." Back at his full length Eden placed his hands behind his back before adding, "I'm sorry for being intrusive but may I ask of why you called me here?"

"Ah, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord DeSoleh. Please come closer and have a seat. I've invited you here for lunch to discuss certain developments that may interest you." Zianro stated as he got comfortable and waited for the servants to do so. "So I must first, as I have done before, is that you accept my condolences for the loss of a member of your family."

He then rubbed his hands together in musing. "I also must announce that due to your loss, your father has somehow seen that he is unfit to continue his position as the DeSoleh family adviser seat in my court. He resigned this morning. This is why your sister has suggested a proper replacement. You, Eden."

He extended his hand to the eldest sibling of the family. "I openly invite you to take your father's position as adviser. Should you accept it."

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Na'ari was pacing near a tavern in town, wondering what the heck was going on. Belistrad acted strange and he suspected Zianro of some form of foul play. He decided to stick the exile in one of the dungeons away from the Royal dungeons and observe his movements. If Zianro lied to Na'ari about something he had a right to know about it. "What the hell is going on...?"

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"Ah, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord DeSoleh. Please come closer and have a seat. I've invited you here for lunch to discuss certain developments that may interest you. So I must first, as I have done before, is that you accept my condolences for the loss of a member of your family."

Both of the deSoleh siblings got closer and sat down when only the older brother was brought up and even though Eden did give Eirene a quick look for doing so he didn't protest. He guessed that if there was something wrong in the way she acted their leader himself would say something. But it was slightly rude of her to do so according to Eden. Eirene saw nothing wrong in the way she acted however, as noticed before basic good manners was not what she placed her focus on. She found it all rather boring actually.

"I also must announce that due to your loss, your father has somehow seen that he is unfit to continue his position as the DeSoleh family adviser seat in my court. He resigned this morning. This is why your sister has suggested a proper replacement. You, Eden."

The first huge shock for Eden was that his father had resigned, it seemed so unlikely. But with the death and all, who could blame him for not acting like himself? Eden wouldn't know how he would react if it wasn't for his own personal family that brought his spirit up, perhaps he would be as heartbroken as father apparently were? But Eirene didn't seem that shaken up either and she didn't have a family of her own to return to, just the one they shared. But, then there was her research as well. Eden found it creepy and by the look of her right now he somehow got an even more disgusted feeling about it.

But Eden couldn't be like that, Eirene was apparently the one that had suggested that he would take his father's place. She had helped him to fulfill his destiny. How was a mystery that Eden didn't even want to try to figure out, but somehow she of all people had convinced Zianro that Eden was the right person for the responsibility.

Eirene only watched quietly as Eden lowered his head humbly before answering that it would be an honor to be of any service to the tribe. She found it all sort of rewarding, that she had done something good today. It felt like that, like she had turned into a slightly better person by this. It was a good feeling she had on the inside strangely enough with the circumstances.

"Excellent. I'll look forward to our continued cooperation Lord DeSoleh." Zianro said with a small smile. He rose again to stretch his legs. "It feels so good to have company once in awhile. When you are me, the palace gets rather constricting." He grabbed several finger foods and sampled them.

"Also, the tribe will be grateful as well for your services Eden you will count on that, in light of recent events it'll be good for the populace to have a bit of hope." He said with a smirk, he half wondered in his own mind what Na'ari was doing. He should have found the bargaining chip for Vinicius by now. His thoughts wandered a small bit.

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"Excellent. I'll look forward to our continued cooperation Lord DeSoleh. It feels so good to have company once in awhile. When you are me, the palace gets rather constricting."

Eden only nodded quietly, kind of understanding what the man was talking about. That it must be lonely to only have people he's being forced to socialize with around him all the time. The staff and even the advisers was people their leader hasn't chosen to have around him. And the palace was pretty big, just because people work there doesn't mean that they would eventually meet the leader wither. Some perhaps but not all of them. It must be dreadful for Zianro to live in such a place by himself.

Eirene however didn't get it, the statement about having company once in a while. From her point of view he had company everyday, his adviser spoke with him almost every day. So company was something he had. So without thinking she questioned it all even though she did get a glare from her older brother for it, "But you do have company most of the time. All your advisers and all that, doesn't they count as company as well?"

Eden couldn't believe how rude Eirene was, even though it was unconscious. If it wasn't so that their father was depressed at the moment he would tell him about what she had done today, now he felt like he would be forced to scold her by himself. Yes, she was an adult but Eden didn't think she acted as a responsible grown up.

"Also, the tribe will be grateful as well for your services Eden you will count on that, in light of recent events it'll be good for the populace to have a bit of hope."

If Eden wasn't a grown up man that took pride in acting like the norms strictly said that you should he would blush, now he didn't even spark a small smile by being referred to as hope bringer. But he would probably jump around in delight the moment he will tell Yvette about this all. Still restraining his happiness Eden nodded, a common act from those in the deSoleh family, "That's far to kind of you to say, my Lord. But I thank you for your kind words."

Zianro smiled that his subjects were accepting their positions. It made himself all the more comfortable. He then saw a guard walk in and whisper several things to him. "Thank you. Well, as much I don't like to cut visits from company short, I have an appointment to get going to. We shall talk more later, but Eden, enjoy your new position." He stated it with a smile and walked off towards the dungeons again. He knew he had an appointment to fill. Destiny's.

He arrived back at Vinicius's cell and walked in feeling merry as he used the handle of his blades to rattle the bars. "Wakey wakey Zotar, I have news for you." He stated as he leaned at a good distance. "I'm happy to announce I found your lost girl, but sadly she's been stuck in a sleep like death. But when she awakes, I doubt a cold cell is what she awaits to see. I imagine, she'd see, a much more pleasant cell, with furniture, a cozy bed... And you, I imagine. So let's get down to real business Lord Vinicius. I won't treat the redhead badly, if you agree to listen what I have to say for the good of both our tribes, and of course, families and loved ones."

His smile simply grew wider, but inside he felt more like a mastermind behind a large scale scheme, which was probably true. "So what is it going to be Zotar? Will it be a deal? Yes, or no?"

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Lord Vinicius

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At this point of time Zotar looked dead, he felt like death itself. How long has Zotar been Zianro's prisoner? He had no idea. Ideas... He felt like he could no longer think either, like he no longer had the strength enough so to even conceive a single thought. So when Zianro came in, believe it or not, Zotar was already awake, for the biting hunger that struck seeds of pains deep into his stomach that allow not for him to find any rest, any retreat from the reality of this chains, of the truth that he was trapped and no matter how much he wanted to see freedom or feel the heat of the sun. Zotar was truly weak, so much so he could not muster the able to admit so.

When Zianro did speak, when he mention having captivity of Sholeh, Zotar did not have enough focus to comprehend a single world that fled from his lips. And even from little understanding that Zotar had left he was confused, it was like he had even forgotten her, considering the past weeks he had been only concentrated on one thing and that was survival. Even in his face Zotar looked broken, well going much further than brokenness, as said before Zotar looked dead. But he was breathing, shallow breaths as his body attacked him with nerve signals begging for better treatment, from an escape of the abuse given, though he could only do nothing, nothing at all, for no longer could he hang on the thought of hope when he could not bear an utter thought without bounded in fits of struggling.

And as for Zotar's expression, it was no longer the menacing glare he so often gave to Zianro, his face resembled that of the undead, like a moribund zombie- already dead, but dying again. That is the feeling Zotar felt in his last days of having a closely decent amount of focus and sense of himself. Like he first experienced death at his own ball, when a bag was placed on his face and all he saw and felt was darkness. And when he woke up he was in hell, but in this world of torment there were no flames, nothing but the bitter cold and the loneliness to swim through his veins that molded into ice. That feeling of dying, that was the worst, just begging and begging and begging so desperately inside his head that death would finally be met, that the battle would finally be over, at this low point no longer caring who one or lost, as long as it would finally end.

Zotar said nothing, not because he was purposely ignoring Zianro, but because he couldn't not only because he was unable to understand him, but because even if Zotar attempted to choke even a sound from his lungs, his body swung pains to his stomach if fashion of a scourge. Zotar's frail state could be clearly seen through the look of his physical state. When Zotar first was incarcerated, he had the body of any king trained from since a young age to become a worthy enough warrior to rule thousands of lives home to a war-driven nation. So anyone could imagine Zotar built his body as muscular and strong as humanly possible. But in a course of weakness of abuse done to the body Zotar's muscles faded as the frame of his skeleton began to settle in.

"Goodness me you haven't been fed in awhile. Maybe some food is what you'll need to get a coherent response from you." Zianro stated as he left the cell again and ordered his guards to make sure plenty of food was given to his prisoner. It would not do him good if Zotar wasn't alive and healthy to take on Zaheed if he decided to leave his company,with the girl.

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Na'ari walked into the bar, since he had returned to townhe had found that there was a tense chill in the air. He didn't know what to think of it. So he ordered a drink and watched the area, wondering if something was going to turn up. It did in the form of Eden DeSoleh entering, beaming at first and then he began to order drinks. It seemed he endured some loss then gain in his productive life. His eyebrows twitched as he heard him mention Zianro and then his sister.

The conversation he was having seemed to be turning away from what he wanted so he listened in. He felt his hand twitched at how drunk that Eden was at saying his assumption of Eirene. Had he not been Eirene's brother, Na'ari would've killed him, but that would stain him as the Lord's Right Hand. But he had a feeling that wasn't the only reason his hand twitched. No. Na'ari felt there was another individual in the bar, one who might be dangerous...foreign even. His mind went on the alert.

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Lord Vinicius

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"Goodness me you haven't been fed in awhile. Maybe some food is what you'll need to get a coherent response from you."

Yet again, Zotar could not understand Zianro again, due to his unhealthy state. However, he watched as the water king exited the room to allow guards to come in and for Zotar's chains to be let down. Once the chains were down Zotar fell weakly to the ground against his face. The chain that upheld his arms to the ceiling was removed from his shackles, but the shackles itself remained. Zotar did not move though, it was almost like he had forgotten how to, for so long he was kept in one position, well unless you count the so few times he was permitted to relieve himself.

He felt a rod poked at his boney back, struggling to, Zotar lifted his head to make eye contact with the poker, this poker being of course a water tribe guard, who pointed the rod to a rusty metal bowl of rice. Food, there it was, right there. All he had to do now was crawl, and for a man in health like Zotar, that was asking a lot. It was amazing how weak the strong could become if you strip them, take their food, deprive them of any warmth, forbid the sun to shine against their face, and most importantly mangle their minds hard enough they prove to lack any slight definition of hope.

But Zotar crawled, and though none of the guards beat him to eat, his stomach did, it was piercing thorns, ordering Zotar to eat the food, and eat the food now. This was perhaps the lowest moment in Zotar's life, to crawl at the feet of his enemies and to feast hungrily at bowl as if he was a lower than a street hound. Zotar did not taste the food, he ate it to fast to even notice that, but if there was one thing Zotar was aware of, the food was cold.

And when he ate the rice, it was like first step to becoming him again, whether him was Vinicius or Zotar, he was starting to feel alive again. But that was starting, he was not near close there yet, there was still so much he lacked. Like most importantly, he lacked heat, he knew he was still dying even with the food, any man can freeze to death. Maybe the fools did not know that, or perhaps they feared even with the littlest heat Zotar was given to survive, he would somehow be able to use it against him. Because after Zotar finished devouring the rice, they hung him up again in his usual position. Sure now Zotar could at least try thinking without his stomach constantly biting at him, but yet trying can only go so far.

Na'ari sighed and ordered several guards to escort the drunkard out of the city, he didn't want to bother with him as he had another question to deal and get an answer for. He had to talk to Zianro. He walked back to the palace where The Water lord was now by himself on the throne.

"Ah, there you are old boy, say did you arrest people?" Zianro asked him, sounding like he learned of certain details.

"I only went to gather information about the girl and my informant made a harsh accusation...to you. He said you captured The Fire Lord so that Zaheed would become the Fire King. Tell me that isn't true.." Na'ari gave a reply as he gripped his blade.

Zianro stared at His friend and sighed. "Dear dear Na'ari, that informant of yours escaped. And if he has this accusation and hands it off to someone else the safety of the Water Tribe is Compromised!" Zianro drew his swords and rose from his throne. "You betrayed me! Indirectly!" Zianro shouted as the two warriors clashed with swords, not using their water magic. No, this was a battle of honor between two experienced soldiers.

"Did you not do the same thing by doing this accusation?! If it is true we are in deep trouble!" Na'ari retorted as he swung Draconil at a horizontal angle but The water Lord Blocked and bound him with water. "What is this?!?"

"You know too much Na'ari and your accidental bumble with your 'informant' has compromised the safety of the Water tribe as a whole." Zianro rubbed his face angrily trying to think of what more to say. "You're to take a vacation. To the Air Tribe. Away from me for the next month!" Zianro pushed Na'ari away. He had something more sinister in mind for his Right Hand's foolish bumble.

"I'll use my friend...as a scapegoat for my next plan. I'm sorry for putting it on you Na'ari. But my vision of peace on all four tribes must be maintained." Zianro thought as he walked to visit Zotar yet again and to try and nurse the Former Lord back to health. At least that was part of his plan.

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Na'ari was walking out of the Palace in shock, why did Zianro do this to him? He didn't do anything wrong. He felt confused, but he knew he had someone to possibly blame for it. Belistrad is going to answer a lot for the newfound friction made between the friends. But he was forced to go to the air tribe. How can he do anything there?

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"I have never met such a weakling of a leader, so out of balance with his own tribe that he would be afraid of their disapproval. But I cannot blame you, I understand what you must be feeling."

Cailu only stared at the man in disbelief, he couldn't understand that he had promised to help the stranger because now it seemed that the man didn't even care to listen to anything he said. Just a few moments ago Cailu had admitted to not being the true leader but just a cover someone else hide behind. And now he got insulted for being a weak leader that couldn't do anything without the approval of the tribe? Apparently the man hadn't listened at all to what Cailu had said either this morning or last evening. Cailu almost regretted making such an agreement, after this he didn't even feel like helping the man with his quest to save the world. But it was not Cailu's decision. He could only ask Ara to do it, if she decided it wasn't worth it that was the end of the story. And after all this he almost hoped she would say no to stepping in to be some sort of a peacemaker so everything could return to normal.

Before leaving for the trip Cailu collected everything he needed to make the trip by himself, he knew for sure that no one would want to accompany him. Why would them? They hated him. And he was glad to just be rid of them and their judgement now finally. The other thing that made the steps he took a little easier was the fact that he finally had decided to do was right - at least that was what he himself believed. He knew that Ara would think so too. But a part of him just hoped.

When he announced what he had planned to do to the guards no one tried to stop him, they just promised to take care of the village while he was gone and that was all he had hoped for. Once done with all the preparations Cailu sat up on his pitch black stallion and took off towards Northpass.

It took him a while to get there but since he didn't carry any heavy luggage or had any carriages with him it took him only a couple of days instead of almost a month. Sure, when he finally arrived at the mountain he knew it lied upon he did have some trouble finding the actual entering, the well hidden road that led you safely to the tribe. He knew better then to try to get up without it, it was nearly impossible for an outsider like him, too many dangerous animals and paths. But after a while of searching and memory training he finally knew where to go.

As the village itself started to become visible between the foliage Cailu finally could breathe normally and relax, just knowing that he wouldn't need to be lonely anymore made the pressure that had been lying above him vanish. When he met the guards that had been visiting his own village he got showed to the shaman tent where they told him Ara would be located at the moment. To him all of the tents looked the same and he couldn't understand how people could want to live in tents all year round since the winters must be cold up here like in Murtovaara.

But he didn't ask about it to the guards, instead he just bent down and entered the tent. Like the guards had told him Ara really was there and to his surprise she looked more alive now than before. With a wide smile he sat down beside her, "Ara... You look much better now..."

"Cailu? What are you doing here?" Instead of Cailu's great excitement about being reunited Ara only showed confusement. He hadn't told anyone in advance that he would visit them.

"Uhm... Well it's complicated..." The man started to nervously fiddle his hands before retelling what had happen some days ago. He knew her opinion about stepping in into the other's war but she surely must see what problems could lie in front of them now. But Ara listened carefully to what he said without disturbing him. When he was done the silence lied above them both like a cloak, no one said anything. But finally Ara only nodded.

"Yes, perhaps we should talk to them... But we won't do anything further than that. We listen to what the Water leader has to say and that's all. Understood?"

Cailu once more started to fiddle nervously as if he had something more to say but didn't dare to say it. When he finally collected all the courage he needed he glanced up towards her, "I think we should stop this. You should take your rightful place and show everyone that it was you was our leader all along. I'm not good at it and... Everyone need to know. Now is a good time to let everyone know the truth. You seem stronger, you would be able to handle yourself. I will always be beside you to protect you either way."

After a discussion about if it was a good thing to do or not they finally agreed upon letting the rest of the world know about the Air tribe secret. They bid farewell to the Shapeshifter tribe and the guards from Airedale that had held Ara company while she had lived inside Northpass. And finally they was on their way to visit Lakeshore for the first time since they had taken over the power after Ara's father’s death.

Before they left Northpass they had asked them to send a note telling Azure about their visit however. The bird flew off into the distance towards Lakeshore and their leader. Now Cailu only hoped that everything would go as smoothly as possible so they could avoid any sort of trouble.

Zianro was busy, he had people take better care of Zotar and make him healthy again, but douse him in ice water every other day to keep his fire turned off. He then saw some form of bird fly in and give him a message.

"Hm...the leaders of Airedale are arriving. I can't wait for their visit. I wonder what they wish to talk to me about." He said to himself as he drank from his glass of wine, chuckling in his mind.

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Na'ari was tiredly heading into the Air Tribe lands. He was tired, tired from walking for several days. He was trying to reflect why he and Zianro were fighting and why he was sent off. It was either because Zianro finally got tired of him, or he just wanted Na'ari to take a vacation. But usually Na'ari had a horse.

He sighed as he then wandered to a tree near the road and leaned on it, falling asleep for the first time in awhile, he didn't know he needed sleep, but he was so confused about everything. He didn't want to be replaced. But he did accuse Zianro of something. No one accuses the Water lord of everything.

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The thing that happened next was not something that Deborah had planned or even considered. She felt the impact, when something hard suddenly hit her back. She hadn't been prepared for it at all and so she stumbled forward. She was so close to fall to the ground because of it but in the last minute she regained her balance. Still leaning forward like she was still in the fall she turned around just to meet the smaller woman's eyes. The moment she did that they flashed for a short moment, expressing fiery hate inside them.

To hear the tiny person talk about a fight Deborah snorted once again in annoyance before stretching out her body, "You want a fight huh? Think you can take me on? Please. You make me want to laugh." Even though she expressed such a sentence she didn't look the slightest amused. In fact she looked as if she was ready to beat anyone into a pulp.

At this point Deborah didn't even think clearly, she was so angry that she just charged at the smaller woman with her hands glowing sharply once again. She wasn't going to use her powers at the woman but she was so angry that she couldn't control it. But using her powers wouldn't give the same sensation and the only thing Deborah wanted to feel by now was how the smaller woman’s bones break with the force of only her fists.

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After days of traveling Cailu and Ara finally arrived at Lakeshore. It was the first time for Cailu to see the Water tribe’s main city and it was more stunning then he could had imagine it to be. For Ara it was the second time to see it, but she was just as astounded as her cousin since she had been so little when she was here last time. That she had just followed her father here while he had some business with the late Water leader as well.

When they entered the city they met some of the city's guards, Ara was obviously the first to approach them with a friendly smile while Cailu just watched from the background. She explained that both of them was from Airedale, which anyone could figure out because of the color of their hair, and was going to meet their leader. That they had sent a message announcing their arrival before so that he should already been informed of this. After she was done explaining their reason for coming one of the guard hurried away to the palace to tell lord Azura about it while the cousins got showed the way to the stall where they could have their horses while visiting Lakeshore.

When they had left their horses the both of them followed one of the guards which guided them to the palace. From the beginning they had walked in an ordinary pace since the both of them by now looked healthy, but something that both the guard and Cailu noticed was that Ara still had some problem with walking. She was still slow and had to use her crane, even though she had gotten her strength back and wasn't as fragile as she had been before traveling to Northpass she was still unable to fully use her left leg.

Zianro was incredibly unamused by this morning's events. He had just gotten his two guests into his throne room so he could hear them out when some violent shaking occurred. Then he showed up. Bellistrad Indorial. A Fire exile who was supposedly the man Na'ari was in contact with to try and find some important things of interest.

"You assume too much Indorial. I am no King. I am the Lord of the Tribe. Also it's Wandering River Dragon, if you want to address me do it properly. You came in here, when I was about to entertain my guests, and you expect to accuse me of something I didn't do? Whatever it is you shall claim I will deny it until the day you die." Zianro coldly stated as he began to form water behind Belistrad. "So leave. I will play with you another time. In the meantime, go to hell, expect Na'ari to join you for his incompetence of dealing with you." He threw the water at Belistrad and tried to wrap him in it. If he was successful he would push him out of the palace and into the very Lake itself to try and dispose of him.

Zianro then looked at his two Air tribe guests. "I seriously hope you weren't in on this otherwise I have a bit of a problem here if you understand my meaning." He stated in a businesslike manner. He chuckled inwardly to himself. His plan was ticking away with no flaws. As for Na'ari, he allowed all this to happen. The Wandering River Dragon decided in his own mind that he should simply just strip Na'ari of s rank and exile him. Replace him with someone better then the Commoner Soldier he was friends with. Zianro smiled when he had a pretty good idea on who would be good.

For now though, he had to have his meeting with the two Representatives of the Air Tribe. "So how can I help you today?"

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When they were halfway to the palace Ara gave up the walking, it took too much time for them to make their way over to the meeting. So she handed over her cane to Cailu and just went into their breeze form instead and followed the two men as they continued to walk through the city while she traveled invisible behind them. The pace of the group suddenly increased and they soon arrived at the palace, the guard just showed Cailu to the right room before he took his leave.

After a few deep breathes preparing for what was to come Cailu entered the room to face the water lord for the first time. He was nervous, probably more nervous than Ara was, but it was the first time in centuries that the Air tribe had gotten involved in the other business and by now he had started to doubt that it was the right thing to do. But he had promised to take Ara with him so they at least could listen to the discussion and participate if Ara decided it was the right thing to do. But it must look a bit funny, him walking in on his own with the crane in hand without actually using it.

Cailu nervously cleared his throat before making his announcement, "I'm Cailu Elre... I've been acting as the Air tribe leader for a while to protect our leader... But she has decided to face you personally..." Ara still wasn't anywhere to be seen but just as Cailu finished the last part a gust of wind seemed to make his hair flow forward and before the two men the true Air tribe leader materialized in the eye of the public for the first time. The woman stretched her hand towards Cailu and he handed over her cane as soon as he noticed it.

With it she took a few steps towards the water lord with a calm smile, "My name is Ara Cilivren, thank you for taking your time to meet us."

What happened as soon as they all had taken their places at the table was not something neither Cailu nor Ara could had imagined. They felt the sudden shake in the ground followed by the screams from outside, it all made them make nervous glances toward each other. They couldn't think that it was anything else then this man Cailu had agreed to help but for him to make such an entrance was not what they had planned. It actually made them wonder if they truly had chosen to help the right person.

To have him storm into the room like some criminal shouting accusations didn't make anything better. Cailu covered his face with his hands in embarrassment for making such a bad choice and talking Ara into it as well. This was not what he had been told it would be like - they were here to discuss the matter like civilized people. Not criminals.

The both cousins once more looked at each other while the water lord uttered those heavy sentences, neither of them knew what would happen if they admitted to knowing that something like this would happen. They didn't want to damage the Air tribes reputation and accidently starting a fight with the Water tribe, but they didn't want to know what would happen if they didn't step in either.

So after a long paus while Ara thought about what would be the best for her tribe she clasped her hands while exhaling. "Azura, we are not only here to visit you for the fun in it like you probably have figured out. We rarely interfere with the rest of the lands problems but recently we heard some very unsettling news... I'm not here to accuse you or your tribe for anything I just want to know from you what exactly is going on around us. How is the situation between your tribe and those who wield fire, between you and their newest leader."

Zianro turned to listen to the silver haired woman, told to be the true leader of the Air tribe. She asked how relations were with the fire tribe. "Tense, but calm. This is a lull in between our age old quarrel." He replied he then heard belistrad add something and he glared angrily.

"Then you are the fool, fire spitter, to believe that I think that Zaheed will keep his word. I am counting on him to slip up and attack me. But I do not have his pathetic little brother, he's not even a leader worthy to kidnap." He said. Then he heard Belistrad make a tense threat and he glared even more.

"Leave my house now. Unless you want me to kill all the prisoners I have, Bellistrad. I was going to give you a fair chance but veiled threats, a terror attack as your entrance has endangered my plans. Imos will be brought to peace but not by a man who thinks himself no better then anyone else. But for fun's sake, I'll let you have a fun chance. If you can positively identify Zotar and take him from here, if he is here, then I will release him to your care."

Zianro smirked a dark smirk. "If not, someone will die. I won't say who or when. But know this, what you've done will only increase my justification of wiping every fire user off the face of the earth. You may have doomed your tribe Bellistrad. As for the Air tribe, since they've been rudely pulled into this argument, they can imprison my incompetent friend Na'ari for his failure of dealing with you. Fair exchange if you ask me. A life for a life and also an apology gift to bringing an unfortunate scene to such a lovely leader. I even have him stuck in Airedale now. Poor fool. I'm going to have to find a new right hand when this meeting is over."

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Na'ari woke up and walked slowly, sensing something drop as he looked down. It was a fire coin. Bellistrad must've seen him. He must be in Airedale. Or he could've ran off back to Lakeshore, Na'ari looked around sharply trying to figure it out but then a group of bandits began to appear from the bushes around him. Gripping his sword, Na'ari attacked them.

It wasn't much of a fight, but Na'ari was given several injuries for fighting them off. An arrow was in his shoulder, there was a non fatal cut to his torso, and his legs were bruised from a club strike. He limped to the road, feeling both tired, and unknowing if he'd make it out of this one, and passed out. Surprisingly, the last thing on his mind before losing consciousness was The conversation he had with Eirene about the afterlife.

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Ara had just finished talking when the blue haired man continued to throw around insults and accusations, she wanted to sink down into the floor. Vanish, get out of there immediately. In the corner of her eye she did see how Cailu slumped down in his chair, trying to get as tiny as possible. Probably thinking the same thing she did. But she didn't show it however, that was the difference between them. She knew how to behave, he not so much. But neither of them had agreed to being a part of this. They had agreed to talking like civilized people. This was far from what they had been promised. And perhaps this man, Bellistrad, didn't understand or cared but his behavior could hurt their relationship with the Water tribe. Instead of solving the problem with the war he could create another one. This was their deepest fear.

The continuation of the meeting wasn't any better. The two cousins was afraid like they never had been when they suddenly came across the darkness of the other leaders, kings, lords, whatever they choose to call themselves. Seeing it directly, staring right into that abyss of a soul they all seemed to have. Those who was participating in the war. The fact that they got away this time, without any larger damages done to their reputation was such a relief that Cailu sank even deeper down into the chair as he let out a sigh.

Ara who still sat as straight as both of them had from the beginning, with pride, hadn't even flinched when the argument started. Sure, her fear had probably gotten shown through her eyes but not more than that. She nodded slightly, she was not sticking up for the fire wielder anymore, not the way he acted. "Thank you for understanding, Lord Azura. I assure you that we didn't have anything with these accusations to do. Or the violence. All we wanted was to have a talk with you to clear out some things. I have decided there isn't anything more we are willing to do because I refuse to endanger my people, because of some accusations that even could be lies."

She stood up and so did Cailu, both of them were getting ready to leave when they noticed the fire wielders movements. The blue flame. And both of them got stiff as they watched the flame get closer. When it was so close to Cailu that he believed he would be able to feel the heat of it he started to move away from it. And he continued to do it until he hit the wall behind him. The closer the flame got to him the harsher the wind inside the sealed room got. Everyone’s clothes moved, the banners, even the chairs fell to the ground because of the force in the air. Both of the cousin’s feelings could be seen by the people around them.

As soon as the man had finished speaking, declaring that if the blue flame they had thought would hurt him died the stranger would be dead by then both of them vanished from the sight of the eye. They'd had enough of this madness. They fled. Both of them. You could feel the breeze as they passed the other men. How they flew right out of the room, Ara being the first one while Cailu who wasn't as good as her at controlling the breeze form just sort of drifted out.

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General King Zaheed

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King Zaheed stared intently at his hand, as he had been doing to many parts of his body over the course of the last few weeks because things have turned to abnormalities. Muscles that surged down the whole right arm had enlarged and swelled up five times the regular size. The same as went for his hand with fingernails ascending out like a short sword blade from the long menacing fingers. Yet on his left, his arm remained the same. And as for his torso, it grew at an unhuman state of volume as his back formed him to hunch over with the spine poking through flesh. He had also morphed taller, his legs heightening as if he were a giant, but he looked more than that of one, instead, he looked like a monster.

Zaheed was the clear example of what happens when a man hungers for more. He care not for balance, all he desired was to devour. After he was heated and saved by Deborah when he misused his powers, he felt that he revealed to his mage a weakness in himself. That day Zaheed told himself never again, because now he was ready to show all of Imos who he truly was. For once, he was going to stop the games and strip off his mask.

Zaheed discovered something in his time of finding powers of a god, as he were absorbing heat, he started to sense another essence deep inside a vessel body, he found power, the magic all of Imos bear. So he did what anyone would expect Zaheed to do, he robbed them of their gifts, leaving victims powerless. Though he would not be able to bend other elements, he would be able to feast upon the very extract of magic. Their magic energy would course through his veins, making him stronger and more deadly, yet the question Zaheed lacks to be concerned about is, how much more power can he absorb before his body refuses to take anymore. Are there limits to his madness?

Zaheed heard something fall behind his causing a great disturbance to him, thus he turned around to have seen his raven friend, Icarus. The bird had flown in such a hurry he lost his stability, but it was for Icarus had urgent news.

“Zaheed! Zaheed!” he squawked, a noise only Zaheed could understand, and only was it Icarus permitted to call on the King by just his first name. “I-Its about Bellistrad!”

“What did he do, run away?” Zaheed questioned, stepping closer to Icarus, to which then the bird backed up, noticing what Zaheed had become. But instead of asking questions about Zaheed’s body, Icarus decided to stay relevant.

“Much more than that, I’ve been spying on him just as you ordered, and Bellistrad seeks to free your brother… And he got the air tribe involved.”
There was a pause, Icarus was afraid what may happen next. But Zaheed only laughed. “So the boy wishes to help out little brother. I doubt he be successful, but perhaps it would have been better that I had killed him. Yes, that is what I should of done.” Zaheed snatched the bird by its neck. “I will have you know I commanded he find the shape shifting tribe for you!”

“Zaheed, I know! I know! You wished to find some way to undue the curse, so you hoped on finding the ones who form animals, perhaps to find a way to break the spell. You wanted me as a man once again, I know. Could you comprehend how dearly I covet my old life?”

Zaheed held the bird up higher, tightening his grip. “My friend, your words portray you as a weakling. I shall make the weak strong!"

“W-what are you doing!” Icarus squirmed as he felt something surge through his soul, he felt something he had not felt in years- magic. Zaheed transferred his magic to the body of the bird once man. And as this power grew inside of Icarus, so did his physical being. The black wings swoop out in large stature, as his beak sprouted through greater lengths in a point. Icarus looked as twisted as Zaheed, yet Zaheed saw Icarus as a worthy opponent against his enemies and a pleasant and menacing sight to be displayed against his bulging shoulder.

“I will stain Imos with my existence! So you said Bellistrad wants to free Zotar? Heh, well I better let baby brother know what it means to truly be in control. We attack the earth tribe at nightfall! Zotar will blindly love me for it.”

Just as Zaheed had ordered it, soldiers surrounded around the earth tribe at nightfall, though in secret. Archers were prepared and ready to fire their flaming arrows against the tribe dominantly surrounded and constructed of trees. Since Zaheed had been king, the military of the fire tribe has advance, though even when he was a general, the fire tribe had always been known for its great stance military wise. But Zaheed has drafted all boys of the tribe of age seven, the amount of training without rest has proven to be brutal but effective, but yet his men were ready as they will ever be.

Zaheed stood slightly in front of his men, though he wore not armor, for his body had emerged too large to fit any longer. Besides, his body was not the only thing growing bigger, it was also his pride, his belief that his body had sunk image to that of a god, thus no longer did he need things of mortals, such as armor or even weapons. Instead Zaheed wore a pair of trousers and a deep dark crimson cloak with its hood lurking over his black locks. Against his shoulder perched his grisly pet bird.

Zaheed brought Deborah along with him, he wanted to show to her his greatness, that he was not weak and what vision he promised when he first met her was coming true. “Are you prepared to witness reality molded by my hands, Deborah?” He looked down at her, for his height reached above all others. It was a surprise to everyone else of what creature Zaheed had turned into. “Experience it, be immersed in my eminence, all of Imos will be.” Zaheed suddenly with great force sung his arm up signaling for the archers to fire, and then it started. A wave of flames soared against the great black sky, reaching for Shadow in a fiery fiendish embrace. And when the first arrow struck into the bark of the tree village, all hell fell upon the nation as it burst into flames.

“Slay those who decline their salvation, and deliver it to those who surrender through their capture as slaves!” Zaheed commanded his men as the arrows flew over them. “Today I shall deliver the children of fire into warriors strung to the call of glory!” As soon as the arrows fell onto ground, infantry fled Shadowfen, and Icarus jumped off of his master’s shoulder and launched into the night to screech battle cries, to intensify the earth tribe’s fear. Zaheed also entered seeking the head of the leader, with power and pride blinding his eyes. He wanted to be worshiped, but above that, he wanted to be feared, so much so, he spared a few so that they may cry to the other nations in message of the horror Zaheed has wrecked upon them and that he will not stop here.

“Ah… I never sought out fire so beautiful, not until it was forged in my name,” He spoke to Deborah. Zaheed stood before the Shadowfen’s grand tree which held the leader’s home, but now burned in an inferno. It was the aftermath of the battle, the earth tribe was destroyed, though not extinct, no Zaheed surely would put his new slaves to work in an army against the rest of the tribes of Imos. “I wonder what nation I will burst into flames next, perhaps the air tribe, yes.” He acted so causal when it came to destroying tribes, because he did not see it as destruction, he saw it as a game of conquering. “Will the fire tribe praise for joy, their god has arrived? No, not just this tribe, but all of Imos will see my godhood. Yes, I put death to the old myths of divinities by pronouncing it illegal. How does that sound, Deborah? The lawbreakers be beaten into submission of my worship.”

He saw himself as a god, and would force others to as well, but little did he know, or more like, accept the many flaws that hindered him. Such as flaws in his physical body- unbalanced, heavy, and in will of recklessness, and no one mustn't forget the flaws in that sinister mind of his for there was no strategy only a hunger for pride and power.

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Lord Vinicius

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There he stood, wrist stretched and bounded by chains as they were from day one. He was being fed, but only to the very subsistence in order to keep him as Zianro toy, or so Zotar felt. Another cruel joke Zotar witness Zianro play was the candle. Whether or not Zotar was a fire bender, he was a human, and all people need some type of heat to forbid them from death. So Zianro's men put a candle inches away from Zotar's reach so that he could have only poor ounces of the warm, but also enough to mock him, enough to give him a false sense of hope.

But Zotar did keep in thought, how much longer does he have to live, before Zianro gets bored? He was surprised he has been able to survive this far, but when does the day that ends his misery- when does that day come? Will it ever come? It was as if the thoughts Zotar did conceive were either concerns and worries mixed in with confusion and questions. He knew he was never going to surrender, Zotar was too stubborn for that, even in his weakest moments, he was not going to surrender to Zianro. Instead, he hungered for an escape as he did from the first second he was imprisoned, but now, he had only believed that escape would come out of death. And he would take it if he could.

Though it was not until this moment that forced a change of mind. Something came over Zotar, no it was like he came over it. Zotar felt his veins be filled and his body consume an energy so long ago he had felt. It was heat, real heat, no mockery, no tease, no joke, this was real. But did Zotar believe that at first, that he was feeling something more than grief, that he was alive? Of course not, it was unimaginable. So, as soon as he felt the first thread of heat, he told himself it was a dream. Sure he will go along with it, but he trusted he would wake up to suffering all over again.

Zotar felt the heat in his veins, but he concentrated all the power to the shackles latched to his wrist. And by that, he was able to demolish the metal by melting it. And as soon as the cuffs were off, Zotar felt the wrist, he rubbed his finger on the bone, for the shackles hugged on so tightly, the skin and flesh were crushed beneath the metal. Zotar stepped to the candle, he stomped his foot against the wax, feeling the flame burn into his heel, and he loved every second of it. He dipped his fingers into the hot wax, toying with it, but though he told himself again, it was only a dream.

Zotar looked to corner of his eyes, a light, like footsteps. Maybe the dream was trying to tell him something, so he followed it. He pressed his hands against the wooden door meant to lock him in, but he burned through it, to chase the light. Zotar knew he had to hurry, he did not know how much time he had left before guards smell the smoke from the door.

The light let him through tunnels and out of the dungeon. He was on the surface, but that had not yet hit reality to him, still in thought this was a dream. Zotar was also not observant of his surroundings, other than not be caught, for he was not sticking around to admire anything, instead his mind focused on the light. Even when he made to Zianro's palace, he did not try to bring up such a thought, to him, that would be insane, freedom does not just show up one day, or does it?

The light let him to a person, this was when Zotar started to believe this was real. He stepped closer to what appeared to be a blue haired young man. All Zotar's eyes were stationed on was him, for the light follow this one person and no one else. Zotar doubted the stranger would recognize Zotar, for the once strong healthy lord, now closely resembled a skeleton with a thin mask of skin. Zotar's hair grew longer, so did his beard, and because of the stress and worry, he looked slightly older. There was one part about him however that could identify him as a former ruler of the fire tribe, it was the brand marks from the day he wore the traditional arm guards of lords generations before.

However, as soon as Zotar stepped close enough to the man, Zotar touched his shoulder. He wanted to know if this person was real, or was it just a hallucination? If he was not dreaming because a dream would not possible go on this long and make a bit of sense, then Zotar questioned if he was delusional. But as soon as Zotar laid his fingers on a stranger, feeling that this was a real person. A person that was not Zianro or one of his heartless guardsmen, someone that was not going to hurt him.

Zotar immediately then wrapped his arms tightly around the man, never wanting to let go, determined to never be alone again and to never let solitude bite against spine and into his mind. It was an embrace that expressed the amount of desolation Zotar were strangled and suffocated with. Sure the face was familiar, he did not know who this was, he did not know this was Bellistrad Indorial the exile he wished arrested, nor did care. An abundance of emotion flooded Zotar, it was something he could not let dwell inside, so Zotar wept in joy with his head buried deeply inside of Bellistrad's shoulder. Zotar was known to be a man who acted on emotion, but not like this. He never cried in public, even when his father died, he knew he had to be strong for his people, especially when he found out he was going to be lord.

But now nothing else mattered to him right now, but this moment, that he was actually in contact with someone. He ached for many things he lost when trapped inside of his cell, one of those things being utterly the ability to know you are not alone. He felt the heat of another soul, and it was enough to bring him to tears and his voice into sobbing.

---

General King Zaheed

---

"Uhh..." What was this? Zaheed rose his eyebrow in concern, something was odd. It seemed Deborah was afraid? No, a woman like her looks and acts as if she could fear nothing. Even before times in the castle when Zaheed clutched her neck, she did not seem scared at that moment, instead only irritated or threatened. But now, now, she was behaving much differently. "It... sounds magnificent.... King." Did she truly think so? Or was she just agreeing to save herself. Zaheed sensed the same type of comportment as he did with his men. Was it how he looked? Yes, that had been the reason, wasn't it. Zaheed wanted Deborah to respect him for his strength, did he want her to be terrified of him. He could not say yes to that.

"Is there anything... I can do? Or... something."

"Ah...," Zaheed stepping closer to Deborah, approaching her face to face, with only a couple of inches away for distance. "Now you are trying to avoid me. You want to leave my presence. If it was anybody else, I would not have much a problem with it. But was it not you, that led me and my body to this state? You told me to find myself, to rediscover my powers. And now... now you are scared? You out of all people."

Zaheed was not mad, it was what he wanted, people to fear him, make his subjects shudder at the sight of him. But he did not ever consider Deborah as one of those people to do so. "Thus, what, what now? Are you going to glow your shining ball and threaten to blind me?" Being feared, totally feared, it was not what Zaheed wanted after all. Because even as a young boy he wanted praise from his father, that what he wanted from Deborah. He in a way, like this father, he wanted Deborah to praise him. All others of the world, could shake in terror, but Deborah, he now targeted her as the unit he sought to please.

"Why aren't you happy? Don't you hate the world and people because of your past being raise in the slums? Years of being seen as low as dust, being spit on as if you were nothing? Shouldn't you of all people be happy when we burn it? When we give the world a piece of who we are. We have power to do whatever we want..." Zaheed paused. "Wait, that's right, I have not shared my ability. Do you want me to..." Zaheed was talking about transferring his power to her, just as he did to his bird.

---

Lord Vinicius

---

Zotar's thin body, or what was left of it, was shielded by a cloak given by Bellistrad. But still, it was a mystery to him who this man was, though also Zotar did not care. For after being locked away for who knows how long, Zotar was not going to be picky about his rescuer. He however, perceive thought of what was going to happen next, no instead, he treasured this moment, Bell's presence. But the best part of all this, was that it was real, not some dream as he once considered. Because yes, Zotar in the past, has had dreams that only felt like a mockery. Dreams of escaping, being back in the tribe, or even dreams with a world where his father never died. In such deep misery, it had gotten to the point, what in his life before imprisonment he would consider good dreams, had too become a nightmare. Because those good dreams felt only there to express and emphasis the horrors of his present life.

"It is alright now Zotar. I will keep the cold away from you. Until you are ready."

Looking up to the man, confused and in question, Zotar asked in a low quiet voice, this being the first time he has talked to someone and it not being Zianro in weeks, perhaps even a month. "R-ready? Ready for what?" That was when it all clicked, "Wait, why am I here... anyways? Where is here?" Zotar back away from Bellistrad to now observe his surroundings, but that was when the anger that had once been strip from him returned, and it was an eruption of fury.

Because as soon as he looked Zianro in he face, he felt his insides boil, and every muscle he did have, flexed in tenseness. Everything Zianro did to Zotar swarmed his mind, he wanted vengeance. "Zianro..." teeth were gritted as Zotar spoke, but he was not going to go by Zotar any longer. "You took everything away from me!" His veins started to brighten, with the brand marks glowing the most radiant. "My family, my hope, my spirit, even my own name!"

Like it being natural to him, perhaps maybe because it was, Vinicius angled his hands where the right was over the left with space in between for the forging and conjuring of a ball of fire. As it grew, Vinicius spoke in all bitterness and rage, "Before I hated the water tribe because of traditions, histories. Almost like I was born to. But now, now its personal. And I will make you remember that when I am kicking your ashes about until my foot breaks." Vinicius did not care that he was much weaker than Zianro, well, perhaps weaker than anybody in the whole nation he was captive by. But Vinicius was crazy and ridden with enough rage, he was willing to die trying to kill Zianro.

"You think to kill me by endangering your own life Vinicius?" Zianro asked as he simply chuckled and summoned a wall of water to extinguish the flame. "I did not lie, yet I did not tell the whole truth. You see before you Zotar. Not Lord Vinicius of the Fire Tribe. A man who's hatred has caused for his brother to usurp his power Bellistrad. Take him and leave, for in the end, no matter how hard you try, you will never uncloud his eyes from his hate, and hope for true peace on all Imos." Zianro stated as he sat on his throne again, bitter at being exposed as part of the General now King's sinister plans for Imos.

---

Na'ari felt someone, something take him and begin to mend his wounds. His conciousness was elsewhere in his mind as he began to experience a harsh dream, he heard the screams of thousands of people as he saw a great tree burning before his eyes. He saw people burning, people running from their homes in terror from the flame. He felt his worst fears. Death had come.

His eyes snapped open and gasped as he sat up, panting. "The Fire tribe! What have they done? What has Zianro done?!" he thought fervently as he thought he then saw someone next to him as he backed up a bit in slight fear. "Who are you, and where am I? What happened? How long was I out?!" The usually silent Former Right hand of Zianro questioned rapidly as he looked around, seeing he was still on the road to Airedale. Then why did his visions make him see Shadowfen in flames?

But if that vision proves true, what major tribe city is next? He had to warn the leaders of Airedale and possibly help defend the city from the perpetrators of Shadowfen's possible destruction.

Arael slowly moved closer. The surface was soft with a few bumps which made it easy to distinguish where the pain was coming from. He applied pressure to the wound and wrapped it around her arm. The old woman was frail and looked like wood on trees which were hundreds of years old. He stopped to gaze at her flesh. Flesh interested him. Although he could never commit to eating meat, it still raced his mind what it felt like.

Lakeshore was quiet. The sun and moon had met each other in the sky and now the stars gleamed in the sky. He could hear the woman's heart beat and every pace made him think about every second closer to death everyone got. Death was a rather peculiar subject for Arael. He was a healer so naturally he had always been around death and had become immune to its emotional strain on others and the constant reminder of his dead family. Arael could see when elders look at death in the face and realized that their time dwindled. Immortality is a strange concept. Everyone wanted it but Arael knew that no one deserved it. He could see the evil in people and while he bandaged everyone like the old lady he had just saved from an infection, no matter the person he knew that his duty was to save others.

Fear was on everyones minds in Lakeshore. If three people were assassinated, what stopped them from killing more? Arael did not fear this however as he knew that there were others of more importance to kill than himself. If anything he would aid the assassins if they were injured. What if the old woman he had just heeled was the killer?

"You are lucky", he said calmly to the woman. "I've seen many people loose parts of themselves due to infections; literally and figuratively. "

The woman stared into his eyes as if she hadn't heard a word he said. Poor Arael knew that before long she would be in the ground. He then turned towards a window in his house. He looked outside at the lonely town of Lakeshore wondering how long before this town would be underground. Just like his parents, they would soon all be in the ground. He would dread that day.

Zianro was drafting a formal announcement to speak of the attack by Bellistrad, and making what he said about Na'ari official. That Na'ari was stripped of being his right hand and that he'd announce his replacement. He pondered who as he wrote. He then thought of one person. He knew Na'ari kept a tab on him for him as a final favor, but he decided he was the best candidate, and it would get him far closer to Eirene. He'd appoint Eden DeSoleh as his new Right hand. And then he would make his permission The Air tribe to keep Na'ari prisoner official.

---

Na'ari meanwhile was given a scolding for his getting up so fast without treatment. But to Na'ari he at least knew one thing, bruised as they were, his legs were fortunately not broken. After a while the Raven returned with parsley and she treated his bruising with it. It took the pain away partially. He then took Mekaisto's hand.

"I won't forget your kindness for helping me. I got waylaid unexpectedly, and well, you saw the result of it." He said as he got up carefully. He felt pathetic, he couldn't use his footwork to use draconil, which he sheathed in its scabbard and let the shapeshifter guide him to the city of Airedale. He hoped he'd appeal to asylum from Zianro's further wrath against him by appealing to the leaders about a possible oncoming danger. He had heard many things about Cailu and his Cousin Ara. He hoped they'd listen to a poor beaten Water Exile, which he was most likely bound to be by now. All for doing what he was told.

---

Deborah was back and because Zotar did make it back to the castle, back to the tribe, then it was obvious that she had failed her mission. We Zaheed angry or upset? No, he was asking a lot, and besides, everything worked out in the end, perhaps even better because the tribe now sees Zotar as fiend.

Once he informed that she had arrived, Zaheed made his way to her, meeting her in his war room. "So, you are back...," Zaheed was not sounding his best, he seemed stressed. The reason for his worry was because of Bellistrad, he had done something to Zaheed's powers that he had tried so hard to obtain. But on top of that, he still wished to stick to his plan on conquering Airedale but with his powers ruined, things would not be as easy as he once though. He could already feel his body decreasing in size, going back to what he once was, which was not particularly weak at all. Even before he started absorbing other's energy, he still had a very strong physic. Though of course he wanted more.

He sighed taking a seat in his chair, dragging a finger to rub his head, his temple, trying to ease a headache. "I'm not disappointed with you. I trust you did your best, and everything worked out in the end with my brother. It's just that-- well, I'm feeling so bloody stressed now." Zaheed was comfortable enough around Deborah to confess those times of things, instead of always acting superior and that he has everything under control.

"You may have heard I exiled Zotar for killing my two siblings, and on the day I made a ceremony out of his punishment, Bellistrad Indorial, the outcast that freed Zotar was captured. I tried to absorb his energy, and he did... something to me. My powers feel like they are dying. He said something about emotion and energy having a connection. All I can gather from it, is that when I absorbed his powers, I took in something that is hurting mine. I use to be able to just harness energy, but that is not the case anymore."

Zaheed paused before continuing, "My plans to conquer Airedale has been put at a challenge now... But I'm not going to give up."

---

Lord Vinicius ZOTAR THANOS

---

"What are you suggesting that I'm supposed to do then? My tribe are not even close to the numbers your brother has when it comes to the army, we are not even specialized in destruction. For centuries we have only tried to survive and protect our land."

"Survive and protect, that is exactly what I want for your tribe, because Zaheed is coming to Airedale. Survive and protect, that is what he wishes to stop you from doing," Zotar rose up from the ground. "We could talk strategies now, but perhaps it is best to first gather allies, well there is one that comes to mind... Zianro." He said the water tribe leader's name quietly, letting himself soak in the reality that he was going to his enemy for help.

"I must leave now, there is no time to waste. I am headed to Lakeshore to speak with the leader there, to gain his allegiance in this brave act to put an end to my brother's chaos. I pray Zaheed does not attack Airedale before we even have a chance to fight back, but I guess for now all we can do is hope. Soon enough, I promise we will have much more than that. I know you have not yet officially agreed but you can think about it while I am off on my journey. I will return, yet if you decide to call of the alliance, then kill me when I stay on your boundaries. I rather die by your hands than by suffer in the boiling blood my brother will wreck upon Imos if we do not stand together."

Zotar started walking away but stopped, "Perhaps when this is all over, and we do make it out alive. Maybe, just maybe, there will be no need for boundaries, for the separation of tribes. We just might see that we are no different after all, we all bleed, we cry, we all die, we all live, so let's live to together. Thank you for your time, my lady."

Once Zotar left Airedale, he did exactly what he had claimed, he traveled to Lakeshore, where he then felt quite nervous about approaching the water tribe guards. Yet did Zianro really see Zotar as a threat? As he could remember in his cell, Zianro repeated how Zotar useless, worthless, and in the end he just let him go with Bellistrad. So, perhaps there was not much to be nervous about.

Approaching the guards there, Zotar took off his cloak and threw down his weapons, "Tell Zianro it is I, Zotar Thanos, wishing to have a word with him. I mean no harm, only the best for Imos. Listen, if you kill me now, you are turning away valuable information concerning this tribe, concerning Zaheed. But I need to speak to him. "

[center]
Bellistrad Indorial

Bellistrad hung in his cell, sweating in place as he calmed himself down. The cell itself was rather cold, but that was not his problem. He had just been exercising using his shackles to perform pull ups and vertical crunches to keep his body from atrophying. He was tired from all the movement and had to sleep, so he sent his mind into a deep relaxation and astral projected his spirit out of his body. He traveled to Zotar and remote viewed where he was and what he was doing. He was on his way to Lakeshore when Bellistrad viewed him, and Bell feared he was there to get revenge on Zianro. But when Bell took notice of Zotar's energy it seemed stressed and not violent.

Bell questioned why Zotar was in Lakeshore if not to attack Zianro. Perhaps he was there to get Zianro's help, but Bell could only hope for the worst and prepare for the best. He thought it was about time to cause Zaheed an even bigger headache than he already had. Straining his arms he began to flow energy through his arms and concentrate heat there. Normally this wouldn't do anything to the carbon treated steel but by heating it with Bell's super-heated blue flames Bell could use his heat sense to 'see' through this sense to find the weaker parts of his shackles and concentrate heat to those parts in order to break them. This process took about half an hour of trial and error until Bell could break out of the shackles and land on the floor in a pile.

He laid there for about ten minutes gathering his strength until he felt it was best to get on with his escape. His lower food intake would take a beating on his fire bending but as his most recent achievement showed he was still able to pull off some cool things. One such thing was copying his earlier technique on a larger scale. By super-heating the entire door Bell could focus on the weaker parts. He then lit the entire door directly on fire and began punching the door in those sections with a flame covered fist, denting the hot metal.

He had to take a moment to let his had cool between each punch and he used a constant breathing technique to make his fist hit harder and with more heat to dent the metal door outwards. Eventually Bell had the door bent until sections of the door were thinner and weaker. With one last jab at the door Bell extended his fingers outwards this time and pierced the hot metal. Bell felt a moment of triumph before quickly retreating his hand out of the hot door and blowing on his hand from the hot pain down his fingers.

Bell took his prison outer jacket and tore it into strips to wrap his fingers and hand individually in the blood red material. His white undershirt was now the only thing covering his torso as Bell now used fiery barefoot kicks to open the door the rest of the way. Now out of his cell Bell snuck through the corridors and took out the first guard he saw with a quick knock-out blow of fire and found keys luckily on the guards person. He restrained the guard and began emptying the prison cells one by one. The contingent of varying Water Tribe soldiers and common criminals with the occasional bandit all made a fabulous army of 65 men.

Luckily Bellistrad was no longer the only bender, with some water benders now in the mix. Bell led the charge as the prisoners went on riot to free more prisoners, but Bell made sure they stayed in the lower prisons to hold out until Zotar came for them.

Zianro had just overseen part of the repairs on his entryway when he saw Zotar walk towards him. He threw off any weapons he had and knelt down. "And to what do I owe this visit? Come to stir up more trouble. Or else do, has the fool finally opened his eyes, mind, and heart to the reality of the situation?" Zianro eyed the fire tribesman carefully, wondering his intentions.

---

Na'ari sighed. "I would follow you if I could but my legs are bruised from being waylaid. So you'll have to lend me your shoulder or else tell your leader to come to me, but I'll give you my arm regardless since I have a feeling it's the former." The former right hand stated as he put his hand on the man's shoulder shoulder and walked gingerly outside the room. His legs still smarted from the bruises given to him but he hoped it was going to subside eventually.

But what did the leader of the air tribe want with him? Didn't they know of his exile? Well, in his mind it was obviously a small chunk of that info. He still couldn't make up his mind if he was really going to stay in air lands, away from people or just continue wandering all of Imos when his legs got better. He had a feeling this meeting would answer that decision really fast.

---

"But do you really need that strength to win? You didn't use your abilities in Shadowfen and you won anyway. I don't think this will change anything, you will be able to defeat them anyway."

Zaheed broke slowly a slight smile when he listened to Deborah's words. "You are right," he responded, though only that because soon rushed in a messenger. "My king!" he yelped in panic. "B-Bell-Bellistrad, he escaped, starting a r-riot!" Hearing this, Zaheed was not furious, but rather frustration, he felt like he started to really hit hindrances that may stop his plans, and Zaheed absolutely hates his plans to be stopped. "Pull yourself together," Zaheed commanded, yet not in an angry bark, but rather a tired and stressed demand. Most likely the servant was in paranoia in fear that Zaheed may put out his rage on him. Instead Zaheed ordered, "Gather thirty soldiers as soon as possible. And oh, Deborah, follow me. If Bellistrad wants to get out of his cell, fine, I'll put him a better place."

Soon enough Zaheed stood with his army of thirty men as they faced the prison. Zaheed was fast enough to equip his armor on as the men were summoned. Zaheed knew he was not as strong as he were with power absorbed, but he did not have time to upgrade his body now. But besides, his ebony armor has proven protective in the past, and Zaheed felt more reassured wearing his helmet for once.

Zaheed turned around to Deborah, "You know what you have to do." That gave her signal to go inside and do what he had instructed her when they made there way to the prison. Zaheed had told Deborah that she must use her powers to blind the riot, making it really no fight at all for his soldiers to put down and slaughter the rioters. Once Deborah had taken all the prisoners' sight, Zaheed waved his hand in direction to attack.

And when his men charged, so did their king. Zaheed felt better to have his sword than he did when he was feeding off others' magic. Zaheed was a master with his blade, and even questioned himself to why he neglected it. Zaheed reached Bell just in time, he was not sure whether or not he was blind, but it was obvious he had him surrendered. Zaheed threw his elbow into Bell's mouth, but quickly grabbed his neck with his sword against it. "I could kill you now, I could of killed you when you were shackled and back in Lakeshore, but no, I'm going to first force you to watch as Airedale chokes beneath my heel and as Zotar slips into death by my blade. Then, you go with him." Zaheed struck a fist to his head, knocking Bellistrad out.

Zaheed threw Bell into the arms of guards to which they tightly chained him up. "I'm not waiting to let life throw any more problems at me, we march to Airedale now!" Zaheed has been planning to attack Airedale since he had conquered Shadowfen, so he was confident in his forces and in his war strategy. Zaheed sensed Deborah and approached her saying, "Well done, I want you to come with me to Airedale. If there is anyone I trust to fight with me, right at my side, it be you." Zaheed lowered his voice in a whisper, "Besides, I would not want to lose you. And while your keeping me safe," Zaheed put his hand on her shoulder, "I promise to keep you safe." Zaheed bowed his head and turned, preparing for the journey to take one more tribe.

---

Lord Vinicius ZOTAR THANOS

---

"And to what do I owe this visit? Come to stir up more trouble. Or else do, has the fool finally opened his eyes, mind, and heart to the reality of the situation?"

"Now is not the time for insults," Zotar started, clarifying that he was not here for a fight with Zianro. "Besides, I opened up when there was a world opened for me to explore, and find the ugly truth for myself." Zotar sighed, "Listen, Zianro, I've been through a lot." That was already a given by the looks of Zotar with his burns marks and the exile mark against his cheek. "Enough to make me push aside my tensions, to forget you are my enemy so we can save Imos. I know, I know, that sounds a bit dramatic, but its the truth. You know my brother's mad."

Zotar paused, taking his eyes down to the ground, staring at it. "I found that all out myself, he made deals to have you kidnap me, poisoned my mother which let to her death while I was gone, and when I came back he murdered my two siblings in front of me, later then framing their murders on me and causing me to be exiled. But I'm not saying that to have you care about me, however instead, to care about Imos. I don't want a man, more like monster, to be controlling and eventually crushing Imos to pieces."

And just like Zotar did to Ara, he fell to his knees begging. But the big deal about now, was the fact that he fell to the floor into front of a man he would consider to be a great enemy. Though none of that matter to him now, the suffering and pain caused to many was not worth Zotar's grudges.

"Please, rally your troops now to Airedale, I know Zaheed will be attacking the city next, he boasted about it like he was some kind of god back in the short moment me and him had. If you refuse, you know the tribe will not stand a chance, and once he captures their tribe, yours will not stand a chance. He will enslave the air bearers into soldiers, in the end to take down yours, thus meaning he will have three armies, the earth tribe, the air tribe, and his. This may be our only chance, so please Zianro, don't waste it."

Zianro listened to what Zotar has to say. The way he went to his knees finally made him smile. He slowly clapped his hands joyfully. "Well done, well done! You've finally unclouded your eyes from the hate of your forefathers. As for Airedale, I shall get my soldiers moving within the hour to match your brother's might. Soon, we will see the dreams we wanted to see a reality." Zianro walked to Zotar as he spoke, "So rise Zotar, true Leader of the Fire tribe, and together, we will make Zaheed pay and we shall make him see his own blood." Clearly he was unaware of Zaheed's recent events.

---

Na'ari's mouth nearly dropped at the sight Of Ara's beauty, he knew he had to answer as soon as possible, for time is short. He let go of Cailu's shoulder and made his best effort to stand on his own and show he was a warrior, not a wounded man. "I am Na'ari Aurelis, former right hand of the Water Lord. I was a victim of a conspiracy involving your unsettling rumors. Zianro thought I was a threat to whatever he was planning and removed me from the equation by exiling me. I wish nothing more then to live in relative peace, whether it be here or anywhere else on Imos". Na'ari tried to read her face, trying to figure out if she was concerned about him, or something else. "But it seems there is something else on your mind other then dealing with a wounded man such as myself, can I be of service in some way?"

---

Soldiers fled into Lakeshore, they were fearful enough to do what Zaheed had commanded him, but not brave enough to run. And though retreating may seem like cowardice, it would be better than playing part in the slaughter that was now present in Airedale. Before Zaheed sent his soldiers out to march, he ordered rogues to dispatch into the city and eliminate as many high ranking officers and to lift the city gates once they approached.

The team proved to be successful for by the time Zaheed and his army approached Airedale, it was opened to Zaheed's destruction. "Now, do not except this battle to be like Shdowfen, you are dealing with air benders here. They can be trickier in situations as such. But if you hold up to order and efficiency in the battlefield, then we gain not only another victory but conquer domain over another tribe. Soon, Imos will bow to one leader. Show no mercy, execute all who prove capable to be a hindrance in the future. And as for the weak ones, enslave them, I'll make them strong for a greater purpose, for my purpose. Do not forget who you are fighting for, do not make me your enemies. Follow your orders, and I give you my word, you will not suffer what Airedale is soon going to face," Zaheed told his speech before the battle.

With the troops inside of the city, Airedale took a slaughtering, the fire tribe had much bigger numbers than them, and this battle had been expected and practiced for after Shadowfen fell. But while the city was being scorched by flames and drowned by terror, Zaheed made his way to the throne room, hoping that he would find and kill the tribe's leader. Zaheed always believed the best way to truly break a tribe's heart and soul was to drive and destroy their homeland, but also to put an end to the one who once led and governed them.

Deborah accompanied him with Bellistrad's unconscious self carried, but also surrounded by soldiers leading and slaves in chains as Zaheed absorbed their energy. He was retaining his abnormal shape, though Deborah did in the past told him that he would not need those powers, Zaheed, in the end, went with his own intentions, as he always did. "I had planned this day for weeks now, I was expecting at least some type of fight," he talked to Deborah as they were on their way to the throne room, was if he were having simple conversation, as if there were not a skirmish before him. "Air benders, heh, guess there's a reason why the fire tribe never affiliated with them, what's there to affiliate with?"

Suddenly Zaheed's pet, Icarus swept down to inform his master, "Zaheed! Zotar and Zaheed are here, they brought the entire water tribe army!" Zaheed stopped in his tracks, heart-pounding much faster, because his goal just got much harder to achieve. No matter how ridiculous Zotar and Zianro teaming up sounded to Zaheed, he stuck with the plan- get to the throne room, take down the air tribe leader then deal with Zianro and Zotar.

Zaheed made it inside the throne room, "Deborah, trust me, I want you to hide within this room. I will soon be immersed within a duel. You know I treasure our time together, you served me in different places, but for now, I ask that you do what I say."

After Zaheed spoke to Deborah, his men then wrapped numerous chains around Bellistrad, bounding him to a column. Zaheed struck Bell against the face to wake him up, and hen unleashed his blade, placing it against Bell's neck, "Too bad you were asleep, Indorial. No matter, when this is all over, and I'm in a good mood I might let you get a breath of air, take a step outside, let you soak in the scenery, before I decide to finally put an end to you."

Ara was no where to be found in the throne room, but Zaheed waited, he knew his brother would get his way anytime now, Zotar always did, according to Zaheed.

---

Lord Vinicius ZOTAR THANOS

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"Thank you, Zianro," Zotar responded to his once-was-enemy, as he rose to his feet just as Zianro had commanded. Leader, it has been quite some time since Zotar actually felt like one, sure Bellistrad mentioned the word many times as he tried to train Zotar into one, but now, Zotar felt he could own up to the title of leader.

In the meantime before the water tribe soldiers set out to march for Airedale, Zotar trained with them. Of course seemed quite suspicious and odd considering the obvious ties between water and fire. But as he practiced events such as sword-fighting or hand-to-hand combat, even in duels considering their elements at battle, he did not feel any tension. For, it was if none of that matter. For once in Zotar's life he could say that a huge part about the history of his ancestors simply did not matter.

No, because through the training with the water soldiers, Zotar constantly kept Bellistrad's words in mind because now they made sense, they are no different from him. These men, they had a country, traditions, families to go back to one the war waging was over, if it was ever going to be. Zotar never though of it that way, he was too one-sided in the situation, never thinking for himself, when it came to breaking away from what he was told as a child. But then it also struck Zotar that he will soon be facing his own nation, his own soldiers, or men he once saw as such.

At that moment, he bore grief, sorrow, to believe he would be against his own tribe. So he excused himself from the battle-training, and made his way to somewhere quiet. Unbelievingly, Zotar actually floated against the waters of a pool inside Lakeshore. After he had to swim for his life, he discovered something special about water- it could either be peace, calm, cooling, or could follow with violence and mad splashing thrashing, its a choice to decide which one. It was always a choice for Zotar, but most of his life he had living his father's, but since he had met Bellistrad, he felt he free.

On his back, lying against the water, he mediated for the battle that soon faced him. That there will be sacrifices made, and he was willing to take them, no matter if it meant he had to end the lives of fire tribe soldiers or if his life would end. And came the time that the water tribe soldiers set out on their journey, with Zotar there besides Zianro, marching with a water tribe king, with the same goal in mind for once, stop Zaheed.

The battle was launched, well, the time that Zotar got there with Zianro, the air tribe was already being attacked. But hopefully, not for long were the people of Airedale going to be pressed under oppression and bloodshed. "Zianro, I'm going after Zaheed. Thank you, again, and," Zotar put his hand on Zianro's shoulder. "Let's save Imos." Zotar gave a bow and charged off in the direction he felt was the best way to his brother.

Zotar could see Zaheed from a distance, he was tallest and strangest-looking figure before him. Zotar took in a deep breath, filling air into his lungs, trying to find a peace in the midst of sorrow and suffering that surrounded. Dreaming and hoping that when this was all over, Zaheed would not only be put down but the separation of the tribes. Perhaps there would no longer be wars or battles like this, Imos would once again be united.

Zotar busted into the throne room to see before him, the monster he was tied to by blood, Zaheed, and his friend, his teacher, his savior, Bellistrad. "Leave him alone, Zaheed!" Zotar barked in stern voice, not in a tone of anger but one that gave the speech of a firm leader. "Your ruination of foreign tribes but also the fire tribe, ends here!"

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"You are not alone in this then. I may have been exiled from the water lands, but Imos is still my home. I will gladly lend you my sword and services to you, Ara Cilivren. Lend you my full strength if need be, even my very life. On my honor, I will help you defend all of Airedale."

She wasn't surprised by his proposal, even though he was a bit roughed up at the moment she could sense that he was a soldier in the core. There was no doubt that he would make such a request, she would be more surprised if he had asked how to get out of there the fastest and ran away. And even if she was questioning how much he could do in his current state she couldn't order him around, he wasn't a part of her tribe so who was she to stop him? That was not her obligation or even her business.

"Your kindness is too much, thank you, we accept your help. You may go and do what you want in the meantime, talk to the guards or something else, the choice is yours. I need to do some things now, so I will excuse myself." While she spoke she had stood up with the help of her cane before smiling politely towards the water exile and leaving the room. She was needed somewhere else, in fact she was probably needed everywhere at this point.

The two cousins were located in their study where they were actually arguing in hissing voices, no one of them agreeing to the other ones ideas. No one of them had any experiences with a real war or battle. Both of them thought they knew what was best but neither of them had any clues in reality. That was when one of the guards came stumbling into the room, blood leaking from defend wounds.

"We're under a a-attack, most of the men around the walls are... dead. I escaped right after an assault... They're here already."

Dead silence. No one said anything, the arguing was over. There wasn't anything to argue about anymore. It was already too late for that. Probably too late for anything. She had been told to defend the village, to keep people alive. But truly Ara didn't care the slightest about the land or the village, all she cared about was her people. As long as they got out alive, which she hoped they would because why wouldn't they all just scatter with the air as soon as they saw the enemy just like the guard who had escaped had done?

"You are wounded, leave the city. Fly out of here, don't die for something like this," The guard hesitated at first, clearly troubled by the order. They were assigned to guard the city, not run away when it got dangerous and Ara knew that. But she wanted to keep as many of them alive as possible, and if that meant to just abandon the village completely for its destruction so be it. When the guard had vanished from vision she turned towards Cailu who was looking out the open window, "Cousin, I want you to evacuate as many of ours as possible. Protect them while they escape, I know you can protect them."

Even he hesitated, his assignment was to protect Ara and not the others and clearly she needed a lot of protection in his opinion, "But... What about you?"

She only shook her head, "No, I don't need it. I can take care of myself, I don't need to use violence. I will simply slip through their grasp if they get that close. I will go to the stones. We can't let them have them. After that I will help you by looking for people that still hasn't left."

They both vanished, Cailu traveling out through the window still drifting away while the real wind grabbed a hold of him while Ara went downstairs and further into the building. She didn't need to open any doors, she just slipped through the slots, downwards. Underneath the dirt. Into the place where all secrets were kept. Once inside the hidden room she looked down onto the three stones. Funny thing was that the red one seemed to shine were it lied, she had never seen it happen before even though she had visited the room many times before. She guessed it was because of the presence of so many fire wielders.

After that unsettling realization she simply poked down the stones into her pouch without touching them with her bare hands and left the room to save the rest of her people from getting slaughtered. At least she hoped that was the worst scenario.

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Honestly the attack on Shadowfen was funnier to watch, yeah watch. Just like she now was watching the slaughter going on in Airedale. It was just like Deborah had suspected, she wasn't supposed to fight. She was just there for the show and to keep the king company. Like before. And to be honest, she wasn't amused with it. At all. If it wasn't for the ongoing battle you would be able to hear her click her tongue more than once while she followed the king where he walked through the streets, clearly unhappy with her position in all this. But she didn't say anything, she wasn't stupid enough to do something like that on a day like this. She just silently listened to the kings bragging like always.

But clearly she had decided on the outcome to early, the news that got the king frustrated made her smile. Because apparently this would be more exciting than Shadowfen. Much more exciting. But also a bigger risk, she didn't have any reason to doubt her employer since she knew how strong the army and he was but still there was that tiny chance that they would lose. That meant she would lose as well. What would happen then was not something she would like to know. And how she was supposed to get out of here was also a question. But she pushed those thoughts aside, she didn't have any reason to doubt the king.

She had expected something more from the home of her father, she hadn't known what to expect but this was clearly not it. To know she was linked to this rundown place was not something she would be bragging about again, the house she guessed belonged to the leader since they walked into it wasn't even close to being impressive. If she didn't know better she would almost resemble it with something from Murtovaara’s slums. Small when comparing it to what Murtovaara had to offer and not even special or unique like Shadowfen.

"Deborah, trust me, I want you to hide within this room. I will soon be immersed within a duel. You know I treasure our time together, you served me in different places, but for now, I ask that you do what I say."

He wanted her to hide? Of all the things he could ask of her and he asked her to hide. Once more she started to click her tongue in annoyance but she wasn't going to start questioning him and being difficult now, "Fine."

Just like he had told her to do she walked further inside the room and leaned onto the wall with arms crossed in the darkest corner, she wasn't going to crouch down and hide behind some sort of junk like a kid. She refused to do that. She wasn't going to humiliate herself like that, because her pride didn't allow her to hide like some scared child. No. Not even if the king asked that of her. It was beneath her.

Zianro nodded. "Get going then Zotar. I'll deal with his forces." Zianro then raised his voice. "We'll go with the charge and flank maneuver! Two hundred of you charge in and get any fire warrior! Two one hundred man units will cover the flanks!" Zianro smiled inwardly. "Now Zaheed, Old Friend, it's time to end our little contest of strength..."

"First Unit, Charge!!"

---

Na'ari was with the Guards in the city, desperately helping them escape whilst he used Draconil and what little water remained in his pouch to hold off any forces trying to stop him from trying to help the best he could. He felt like he was the only water warrior that cared, until he heard the battle cries.

Warriors of Lakeshore leapt into the cities and fought against the fire soldiers. On the walls of the City itself, Several water warriors specializing in ice threw several icicles at the soldiers, further aiding them in their cause against the fire tribe's tyrannical Ruler. He thought he saw Cailu arriving to help. But that made his face turn pale with worry.

"Where is Ara?" He said silently to himself. It didn't matter, he had to fight off the troops with the newfound Calvary.

Did I just witness that? Zotar asked himself, immediately after Bellistrad just... disappeared. He just engulfed Zaheed in a flurry of what appeared to be blue flames. Zotar did not check upon on Zaheed's body thoroughly to determine his death. Instead, Zotar ran in panic to Bell's garments. "Bellistrad! Bell! No, no, no!" Zaheed cried as he shuffled through his friend's fabrics remaining, at least looking for a body. But no, what Zotar saw was true.

In that time that Zotar searched for his Bellistrad, Zaheed lied there, his body feeling as if it were set ablaze and his neck tightened, his death felt as if he were not only burning but also suffocating, choking. He needed more, he needed power, it was killing him, but he still had a hunger. Zotar was smart enough not to grasp his brother's essence of energy, knowing that his may be similar to Bell's because they looked like close companions. But there was another light he saw in the darkness that was his vision, Deborah. He knew that was her, she had a distinct glow and color because of her unique power.

Yes, there were moments of love he felt for Deborah, but that does not mean he was engaged with a desire for anyone else, that was himself. He has grown to be selfish, after feeling as if could not obtain his father's love, he made a decision early his life, he can only trust himself, he can only depend on him, only care about Zaheed. He pulled, tugged, and pried every ounce of magic and power Deborah had into her for himself. The pain could be described like tearing apart and ripping off skin, because he took something away from Deborah just important.

And with his power, Zaheed as able to muster just enough strength to rise up, and give one last attempt to end Zotar. But as Zaheed rose up, Zotar sensed it, not just because he could hear him but could sense the dark negative force. Then it felt like slow motion for Zotar, on his knees stopped searching for Bellistrad and instead felt Bellistrad course through his veins, pump his heart, calm his mind, breathe. Zotar rose up and with a thrust of his of both his hands he released his willpower. And just as before, Zaheed was scorched in armies of blue flames dancing against his flesh, forcing him to collapse, but this time Zaheed did not survive, he transformed into ashes.

Zotar felt exhausted he staggered back, panting, but he knew it was over.

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Once the battle was over, with Zaheed's army defeated, Zotar went back home, to the fire tribe. Though the most recent memories he had there were horrid, he still had a heart for his people and knew his brother damaged them, they were hurting even if they avoided to show it. He did not know what to expect when he returned. Some hated him, they clung to what Zaheed's claimed, other were wise enough to believe that a wicked man tells wicked lies. And because so many were released from fear, relieved that Zaheed was finally gone, they bowed to the man that stood up against him, Zotar of course. He rid the tribe of worshipping Zaheed, destroying the idols and statues they were forced to worship.

Zotar had a re-coronation as Lord Zotar, except this time he did wear the traditional bracers, and he did not even ask Zianro for them back. Instead, he proclaimed, that they would take a new path, embark on a new story, and tarnish the reputation of the fire tribe to be a people of war and bloodlust, because one day, if he could make possible, let the tribes unite as one people. Because just as Bellistrad said, they are all the same.

But of course Zotar did not always have the grandest nor happiest of time being the tribe's leader. With his vision came riots, people that forbid to turn away from their old ways, but Zotar did not respond to their rebellion with violence, he did not want to strike fear into his people as his brother did. Instead Zotar used his words, speaking to them boldly, rebuking their arrogance to fight with those they find foreign. The riots did not end immediately, that took time, but eventually the rebels saw there be no need for a war after so leaving one recently. They also took notice the patience and peace Zotar had about him, he was a loving man, who now never rushed to anger nor judgment, he forgave. Zotar mediated through the troubles and temptation to respond in fury, not only because he felt he needed it but because every time he did sat in his cross-legged position doing that thing he so once did not understand and in fact dreaded, it was like he could hear Bellistrad or at least sense his spirit there with him. It was as if Bellistrad never did die, he would not in Zotar's memories.

Though not only did Zotar share a love to his tribe but others, he tried to locate her after the battle, wishing to help her tribe recover from the attack. He did not want the air tribe to be suffering and to be alone, Zotar experienced and knows exactly the feeling of that. And with that Zotar released the earth benders Zaheed enslaved, but not only that, Zotar let them coexist with the fire tribe, also giving them villages so that they may be able to reflect upon their own traditions. For the water tribe, Zotar reached out to Zianro to respecting the man after he provided troops and came through in the battle of Airedale. Zotar scheduled meetings to discussed an alliance with the water tribe, praying that Zianro would agree, in hopes one day perhaps water and fire may live together at peace with all the other bearers of elements in this place of Imos.