Heaven was a terribly beautiful place.  A city, filled with tall gilded white towers sparkling with the sun’s warmth while a thriving populace wandered the pristine alabaster streets, was far from crowded.  Graceful robes swept the ground amidst the din of respectful voices whose owners kept perfect separation.  Every doorway, every window, every intersection was the same tranquil perfection.  Each detail was laid out as it should be, without variation.  The pleasant voices blended together into a lulling monotony.  It was beautiful and peaceful and pure...and hauntingly frigid.  But perfection is not intended to withstand the passing of time.  

“In here.”

“I’m scared.”

“It’ll be okay, promise.  I just have to find Uriel, but I need you to stay here and not make a sound until I come back.  Can you do that?”  The small child nodded with tears in her eyes.  “Good.  Remember, stay absolutely silent and if it gets scary, close your eyes.”  He smiled and ruffled her hair before closing the cabinet and slipping outside.  He looked up, his dark hair a stark contrast to the ivory wall behind him.  He could hear the battle approaching and took a steadying breath.  Looking to either side of the alcove before deciding to skirt around the nearby courtyard.  It would give him a good vantage point of this cloister if nothing else.  

The war had yet to reach this part of the city, but the sounds of destruction grew closer by the day and would soon breach the city walls.  The blue skies were now marred by an encroaching darkness and people hid behind closed doors as if the small barrier could save them.  Mostly, the only ones left inside were healing those injured in battle as hiding risked being court martialed for siding with the demons.  His eyes held only determination as he explored the cloister, timing his footsteps to the clashes of battle just beyond the city gates, unwilling to disturb the deafening silence in between.  He was tall and graceful but moving with a regal poise one would expect of a seraph.  He found Uriel reciting a final blessing over a wounded angel on a small garden path just outside the courtyard where this particular cloister opened up.   Uriel turned to look from his silent companion when he heard someone approaching.  

“Thank goodness it’s you.  This is madness.  Angel attacking angel!”

“Is he…”

Uriel sighed and looked away with a small nod.

“So many…”  he trailed off into a moment of silence before a loud barrage of explosions interrupted their lament.  “You said you knew a way.  How?”

Uriel’s expression faltered, “Are you sure you have decided?  There’s no turning back from this.”

“Yes.  This war is wrong.  Nothing excuses murder!  Not like this!  Please?” His voice a harsh whisper.

“Alright.”  Uriel nodded and drew a sphere from his robes, sparkling inside were stars and planets moving through iridescent purple space.  The celestial orb.  Uriel was right, there was no turning back; to leave now would be to abandon any illusion of neutrality.  “This will take you to the Magical Realm once I say the incantation.  Just touch it when it glows and...”  

The young man pushed Uriel’s hand down, interrupting him impatiently.  “Not here.”

“But there isn’t much time to--”

“This way!  Please!”  Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed his brother’s hand and led him back the way he had come.  

***

“Araja?  I’m back.  It’s time to go.”  He whispered as loudly as he dared.

Hesitantly, a small girl with long black hair and big blue eyes looked out from behind the door before rushing forward to hug him.  “You came back!  I was so scared, but I stayed quiet just like you said.”  

“You were such a good girl, Ara.”  He patted her head and turned to Uriel, “Here.  We’re ready.”

“But...she’s…” 

“It’s fine.”

“But--”

“I’m not leaving her.  If you want to help me, then you help us both.  Otherwise, I’ll find another way...even if it kills me.”  The young girl looked up at him, but he only smiled, gently pulling her hair behind her ear.

Uriel heaved a sigh.  “I pray you do not regret this decision, brother.”

“I’m not the one taking innocent lives!”  He turned, pulling the girl behind him, meeting Uriel's gaze.  “We can’t go on like this and I know you don’t agree with this slaughter.  I’m trusting you.  I'm sorry I couldn’t risk telling you about her sooner, but please--will you help us?”

Uriel took out the celestial orb pensively, eyeing the girl.  “Why this one?”

“Huh?”  He pulled her closer.  “She’s my sister.”

“She is as much your sister as I am your brother.  But you and I are created beings of a God, and she is the offspring of a God.  You don’t know what powers she may possess in the future.”

“It doesn’t matter!  I will take responsibility for her!  All beings created by the Gods are holy.  Isn’t that what we were taught?  And aren’t we to love all equally, without exception?”

“Gods’ word is absolute.”

An especially loud clang of metal and stone rang out, followed by a symphony of horror as the golden gates twisted with the heat of the attack.  The dust cloud from the crumbling buildings at the front of the city signified a breach for any who dared look outside.  He turned back to Uriel clicking his tongue dismissively at the familiar argument, urgency fueling his conviction.

“Absolute?  Without mercy, without compassion?  Is that what the Gods claim to be--vengeful hateful entities of destruction hidden behind a veil of smooth porcelain?  Or is that the deception and they are what they claim, hoping we will see through this lie?  There is no divinity in murder, I don’t care what the reason.  I don’t believe in Gods who are willing to take life just because they are angry!”

“You know that is not why they are doing this.”

“Isn’t it?  Is there anything that would justify destroying so many whose only sin was to exist?”

“Our job as angels is not to question the Gods--”

“Then consider me a demon!" righteous fury burned with every word.  "Are angels nothing more than instruments of the Gods?  Is my entire existence to be dictated by how I am used?  The fact that we were given consciousness has to mean something, Uriel.  We have a choice.  You know this isn’t right; if I fall, it will be fighting against injustice like this!  I refuse to be a tool to this madness, not anymore.”

Uriel looked at the girl.  “Then protect her with everything you have, for this choice will set you on a path from which you cannot return.”

Relief washed over his face, “You...thank you, Uriel.”

“Stellae in caelo, aperire ostium ad novam vitam.”  The swirling stars within the orb began to shine brightly, setting the whole room aglow.  “Both of you, touch the orb.  It will take you to the Magical Realm.  But be weary...they will sense this energy and try to find you.  Now then, little one, close your eyes and picture a safe place in your mind but don’t tell me where it is.”  

“Thank you, Uriel.  Brother.”  

“I pray for your sake we do not meet before this war is over.”

“We will both pray for that then.  Be safe, be true.”

They felt a tingling sensation as the swirling galaxy inside the orb grew beyond its confines and enveloped them, sucking them into the vortex at its center and disappeared.  Uriel stood for a moment, pure white robes billowing in the receding darkness, as a tear slid down his cheek.  “Dominus vobiscum fratrem.”  

A strong authoritative voice rose above the shouts followed by frantic footsteps.  There truly were eyes everywhere in this city.  Uriel braced himself for the accusations, preparing his words carefully.  After all, the best way to lie was with the truth.  Several voices soon greeted him as he stepped into the cloister.

“Where is he?”

“Are you hiding him?”

“He has to be!  They came in here!”

“That doesn’t mean he helped them!  Those demons are capable of anything!”

“Brothers, let us not argue amongst ourselves.  Uriel surely did not help them willingly; it is treason against God to question His word.  Come, tell us where they have gone.”  He held out his hand as if inviting Uriel to walk with him.  

“Gabriel…”

****

The sunset cast a warm red glow across the barren land, one last caress before the cold night stripped the desert of life.  A tall figure stood out against the landscape, cape billowing in the dusty wind.   His hood hid a determined expression and bronze skin, weathered by his trek across the most uninhabitable part of Al’Kourra.  He approached what appeared to be an abandoned stone village and walked the worn roads between buildings of stone.  He slid his hand against the rough sandy texture, pausing briefly over what was likely a vibrant mural, still evident even now in its sun-bleached and sand-blasted glory.  Part of history, of the lives, that once called this place home.  Part of him wondered what type of people they were.   What was important to them?  Why did they leave?  But he continued searching until he came to the ruins of a castle backed into the rock behind it.  From afar it looked nothing more than a collapsed building beside an earthen wall and sand dunes, but he could smell just the slightest hint of smoke from the partially covered opening.  From the angle of the covering, it likely hid a cave that went into the wall and below the dunes.

He sighed. "So this is where you were hiding Naofalas...all these years and I find you in an abandoned subterranean nest. Clever, hiding the most important in plain sight." With a half laugh and a shake of his head, he entered the cavern. Around him, twilight was wrapping her arms around the desert horizon providing a foreboding glow. 

Inside he found no one. Well, almost no one. She was crouched over one of several fires in the dark, but as he approached, she vanished. Of course he could still sense her, but he could no longer see her. He frowned as the room became darker. A human?  No…how odd.  What would a creature like this be doing in the Magical Realm and why would he leave her as guard…am I mistaken--no, this is definitely--Before he could finish his thought the dagger glanced off his bracer as he raised his arm in a deft response. The room was obscured with smoke, and he realized she had suffocated all but one fire. He grinned. 

 "Heh, unfortunate for you, that I do not rely on just my eyes to see you." 

"What do you want, dragon?" 

"Hm, I could ask the same of you.”  So, she can tell what I am despite my form.  “I have far more right to be in a dragon's lair than a creature such as yourself." 

"This isn't your lair." 

"Indeed. But being as there are no other dragons here, I am free to claim it for my own." 

"I am here." 

"You are no dragon." 

His laugh was both sinister and musical, deceptively lilting. Narrowed eyes began to scan the room. He felt the rush of air before he saw her.  He raised his arm in defense, and she took advantage of his exposed side, spinning out of his reach. Her curved dagger would have struck him had he truly looked at her as insignificant. "Intriguing. If it is a fight you want..." 

His smile held genuine interest in the darkness.  The room was mostly bare, offering no real aid to her other than providing a space to spar unhindered.  The dirt floor ensured plenty of dust if the smoke had not done its job.  Perhaps Naofalas intentionally left this area unkempt to appear abandoned.  She is avoiding that area in the corner; that must be the entrance.  Faintly, he heard leather creak under a tightened grip.  

 She blinked as he thrust through the smoke directly at her, unsheathing his sword as it arced towards her in one smooth movement. She flipped backward, dropping her dagger and unsheathing her own sword. He swung again, from the right and she met his blow with her own, locking them in a battle of force.  He kicked her fallen dagger into the shadows.  His arrogance held confidence only truth could afford.  Her face was tight as she moved her free hand to brace the other against his strength.   Her lips thinned into a determined line before she spun into him, causing a momentary pause of surprise as his own strength propelled him forward at the sudden lack of resistance.  

He regarded her for a moment in what little light the single fire cast on her.  She was mostly covered in black, typical for an assassin.  Her exposed eyes, however, looked like glowing tanzanite.  Her gaze was fierce yet calculating.   So, she makes up for her lack of strength and magic with strategy.  This should be fun, even if short-lived.  As she twirled away from him, she unsheathed a second sword and raised one level in front of her while keeping the second lower, by her side.  As he approached, she turned her right shoulder to him, catching the inside of his sword with her own to push it forward and away.   She turned her back toward him, pulling her right sword in and wrapping her arm across her stomach to jab her right sword back into him as she completed the spin, and her left sword finished its trajectory.  His surprise nearly earned her a direct hit, but by the time she had completed her spin to face him his left hand was on her sword.  "How lovely. You have such a fierce expression as you face death. I wonder if it will remain in your final moments." She leapt back, yanking her sword free as he rushed forward again, more forceful and direct. Yet, she held her ground, bending her knees and preparing to meet his blows, deflecting them as best she could. "Magnificent,” he grinned.  While she lacked the magical fluidity in her movements, there was a certain grace about her as she pivoted and swayed to avoid his attack.  He raised his sword to deliver a deadly strike.  I should end this...Naofalas could be back at any moment.  But I want to see more of that defiance!  How long since I have danced with another like this?  How long since someone refused to run in fear or cower in resignation.  Yes!  Fighting her, this exhilaration...this feeling is ecstasy…  

Locking swords awoke him from his thoughts.  Her swords were crossed in front of her, and his sword caught between.  She fought valiantly to slide his blade toward her left. He could feel the blade's right hand relax as the left applied more pressure, using his own strength to push the blade away from her neck and into her shoulder. As it seeped into her flesh, she dropped her arms and turned quickly to break the stance.  She lunged forward but he easily deflected each attempt.  Abruptly she leapt back and away from a particularly forceful downward strike.  The clang of the metal demolished any hope of surviving such a blow.  She stood, panting, thinking.  He laughed, “Tell me, human, why are you here in this lair?  Is it to fight by his side?  Or is it to lie beside him?”  She remained silent, her eyes showing no sign of yielding as she watched his every movement.  Naofa, what a strange creature you have protecting your lair.  But this is tantalizing!  What sweet torture to keep pushing and yet she still refuses to surrender.  I am already on the precipice; I can’t take it!  I want to hear her shattered spirit cry out as she begs for her life!  And then...   He sighed heavily, fighting the madness into submission.  "While it has been a pleasure, truly," he offered her a genuine smile, "I can wait no longer. Pity we could not have fought once you realized your full potential; you fared quite well.”  His walk was slow and predatory.  “Most are cowards, and those that aren't are too easily broken." Still no reaction, just slowly pooling blood as it trickled down her left arm. 

 She advanced toward him once more, aiming to meet his blade but just before contact, she ducked down beneath him and through his legs to avoid his reaching fist and blade. Not leaving her any time to right herself, he turned and rushed forward as she rolled to stand.  Keeping her swords close, she pushed off the floor from an awkward angle, waiting until he raised his sword with both arms.  Again, she dropped down as his sword began to descend.  The same move?  Surely…  He realized a moment too late.  Instead of a slide, she rose inside his wide embrace and with all her strength, thrust her blades upward searching for his chest or arms or any part of him he didn't move out of the way fast enough. He quickly opened his arms and jumped back, squinting at her as one of his sleeves revealed a large gash, but he had avoided any serious injury. He blurred into the darkness and her eyes widened slightly in response.  She blinked, giving the room a once-over before closing her eyes.  She tilted her head, listening to his footsteps, his breathing, his heartbeat.  Suddenly, she turned and shifted her weight into a defensive stance catching his slash just in time. She pushed off in the same direction to avoid fatal damage, but it still sent her flying across the room cracking the wall with her impact as her body slid down.  She must be nearing her limit, he thought at her ragged breaths.  She has lost a good amount of blood, and that last impact would send the most hard-headed into swirling unbalance.  And yet she refuses to use magic…if she is buying for time, this isn’t the most practical way, there must be another reason, something deeper...  

 She gripped her swords and let out a yell as she unsteadily rushed forward. Was she…laughing?  She pulled her right one far across her body and lifted its pommel to hit his sword, knocking it off kilter as she thrusted her left sword towards his chest, never stopping her momentum. His reflexes quickly regained control, and he took control of her blade with his free hand.  She interrupted the trajectory of her right sword, turning it in towards his face.  Anticipating that she would not be able to finish her assault if he struck first, he righted his blade toward her neck.  To his surprise, she surrendered her left sword and caught his with her palm.  It cut into her gloved hand and, with a yell through gritted teeth and one final connected step, she diverted his blade as her own skittered upward in his moment of shock and left a long gash in his cheek.  He hissed, throwing her angrily aside. She hit the wall so hard she bounced off before crumpling to the ground. Her hair that escaped the black hood laid in bloodied wild wisps around her. She tried to push herself up, coughed, and tried again.  Anger radiated from him and shadows began to darken as he turned wide eyes to blood on his fingertips.  Whatever consciousness and instinct left in her was fueling her frantic attempts to stand. 

How could a human have reached me?  No one has bested me in a sword fight.  Not since...since...

She coughed again, unable to rise from her hands and knees. The pooling blood seemed to be seeping out of her as she struggled to hold any grip through it. Her right arm dangled at an odd angle, most likely from the initial impact and yet, her will to live defied him... Suddenly, her head snapped up at his growl to see glowing red eyes advancing toward her with incredible speed.  Swaying and blinking herself conscious, she didn't have time to react before his hand was around her neck and she was dangling just above the floor. She struggled to try to pry his hand away with her left, but it was no use. Her right arm hung limply by her side. Determined she stared into his inferno unflinchingly.  "How dare you!" he growled. "I will kill you! Who do you think you are, human?"  Heat from his rage began to burn her skin as an amber glow escaped from his gauntlet. She coughed blood over their hands, but kept her gaze level, showing no break in her resolve even as her eyes began to lose focus. He could feel it, he could taste it; her will, her fight, her life.  Blinded by rage, he squeezed the life from her slowly, waiting for the moment he could see her break. His quest forgotten, he wanted revenge: to break her will, her resolve, everything. He leaned towards her to watch as it left her eyes. He was so close, and she was helpless.  She looked up into the face of a strong proud man, with bronzed skin and thick dark, somewhat wiry hair–fine enough to hang loosely to his shoulders but in places you could see it was not as smooth as it appeared.  He had high cheekbones and full lips.  His armor was obviously made for him specifically, mostly black with minimal gold decoration save for a symbol etched onto the front of his tunic.  His vermilion eyes were filled with rage as red smoke emanated from them, and yet radiated a deep sadness.  The depth was captivating.  His anger raged inside until he felt a small hand touch his cheek. His grip loosened slightly in surprise. She was trying to speak. 

"Wh..y?" She coughed.

"Why?" He laughed bitterly. "Are you asking why I kill you? You aren't worth the expla--" 

"No." 

As furious as he was, he slowly began to realize he couldn't break her with physical pain. She had been beaten, was bleeding, scorched, and choked. Nor was she just a human with latent magic ability.  Any other human would have begged for death if they hadn't yet expired. He loosened his grip enough that she replaced her left hand to give her enough leverage to speak.  "Your sorrow…lonely…pain…" She spluttered blood helplessly into his face as she coughed air into her lungs. "What wound...was so deep...to justify...such rage..."  He looked into her eyes and saw a single tear escape.  Her expression had softened, no longer defiant strength but a deep compassion and desire to understand.  She had stared into his eyes blazing with anger and hatred, and she saw pain instead. A convoluted mix of emotions flooded him as her words left him empty.   He let go.  He watched her gasping body fall to the floor and begin to cough in earnest before succumbing to unconsciousness.

 "Tahir...I had heard you were searching for me." 

"Naofalas." He answered bitterly without turning, still lost in a haze of emotions. 

"I would appreciate it if you would refrain from any further attacks on my apprentice before I cannot heal her. She is already unconscious." 

He stood motionless while Naofalas hurriedly walked past him.  Why had she asked that? Was it to try to save herself? No, the look in her eyes was full of resolve to die. Was she buying time for Naofa? Possibly, but she didn't expect to survive. Who was she?  He watched as Naofalas knelt beside her, placing one hand on her forehead and the other over her heart. A warm golden glow enveloped her. Tahir stood motionless, empty and conflicted, merely watching as questions swirled in his mind. Even as her life was slipping away, she had not lost herself.  After a long moment, Naofalas finally spoke.

"She is stable, but we must get her to the infirmary and a healer.”  He told one of the guards as he lifted her gently into his arms.  “Tahir. You have two options: explain yourself as my guest or be taken prisoner." 

He regained his composure through a scowl, but there was no heat in his words. "Not much of an option Naofa. Are you sure you can trust me as a guest?" 

 The man before him stood holding the fragile human in his arms. His skin was so pale it seemed like a light in the dark room, clear and smooth and as elegant as the moon. His light blond hair delicately fell freely about his frame to his waist. He wore a fine robe of what appeared to be indigo velvet and silk that fluttered when he moved.  It was simple, with a brocade barely noticeable, but was undeniably royal.  Just walking across the room was like watching a graceful dancer. "Come, Tahir."  Two guards followed them deeper in the cave beyond the hidden door, and down a long dark corridor, watching Tahir's every move. He sighed. It couldn't be helped, not now anyway. Soon they reached a staircase. The first knight paused to place his torch down and stoically stood guard as the others passed. Along the staircase and the hallway at the bottom of it, sconces were already lit. Soon Naofalas paused.  "Take him to the meeting chambers."  There was a hesitant pause from the two guards.  "He will not attack. I will arrive shortly. Treat him as a guest, but he is restricted to those quarters."  With that, Naofalas entered the door before them with the girl. Tahir waited until a gentle but firm nudge from one of the guards brought him back to reality. 

 When he reached their destination, Tahir took in the room.  It had a high ceiling, a long table with every food a man could think of and an abundance of ale. There was a fire roaring for warmth in the hearth and soft pelts on the floor. Despite being in the desert, Tahir was grateful for the warmth. Desert night was one of the cruelest and coldest places in the Pneumatos.  However, the pretty dishes and delicate taste to the ale clashed with the strong overly sturdy feel of the room.  In fact, very little made sense.  It had been several years since he had seen Naofalas but this was strange.  He decided to see if he could glean any hints through conversation.  "So, what are solar dragons doing here in the desert?  Tired of your mountain palaces?" He sat down and took a swig of ale glancing at the guard.  "Well, I suppose you wouldn't be any guard worth a shit if you answered that now would you?" he laughed. "Have you worked in Naofalas' service long? Does he treat you well?" He propped his head up on his fist in mock boredom.  “What does he want with a human?  Has he finally chosen to take a mate?”  Silence met each of his questions as the guards largely ignored him. "Oi, do you at least have names? What am I supposed to call ya?" 

"Tahir." Naofalas silenced him as he entered the room. Tahir looked up into clear ocean blue eyes that pierced his heart in anger, but otherwise his features were as serene as moonlight. The fine robes stained darker with her blood.  "Why are you here?" 

"Isn't it obvious? To talk to you." 

"By coming here and attacking?" 

"Well..." he winced as he noticed the blood stains. "That wasn't my original plan. She was guarding this place..." 

"This place is a secret base--" 

"Naofa, it's not secret if people know about it now is it?  And you didn’t hide it very well." 

"You could have sent word, or come to the capital." 

"What fun is that!?" He hiccuped. "It's more fun to track you down," he offered with a mischievous grin. 

"And nearly kill my apprentice?" Naofalas’s gaze was piercing, catching every unspoken emotion that Tahir’s voice and smile tried to hide.

"Well, she wasn't exactly forthcoming about where you were and she wasn’t very welcoming..." he scowled. 

"Did you ask?" 

He blinked. "Ask?" Shit. 

"Tahir," he sighed, "not everything has to be a battle. You have a brain; use it sometimes! If not for your own sake, for the sake of your people!  I know the taint of the Abyss can be strong, but you must fight it." 

"The Abyss…”  I did try, but…   Tahir frowned into his ale.  “Say, Naofa, what was that girl's name? I didn't...I didn't mean to..." 

"Ask her yourself later; she'll live." 

"..." 

He sighed again at the slightly relieved look in Tahir's face. "Ask her when she wakes up. You shouldn't underestimate her like that." 

"What is she? She...she nearly died." He shook his head in confusion. 

"Tahir. Why are you here?" 

"I..." he glanced at the two knights behind them. 

"Leave us." Naofalas raised his hand gently to silence their protests. "Just outside the door is fine. Or do you not believe me capable of dealing with this lout?"  With a scowl at Tahir, they left the room.  "Now. Why?" 

"Naofa, we...we need your help." 

"Is this how the Lunar Dragons ask for help? By breaking into others' homes and attacking them?" 

"Naofa...she…"  She what?  Attacked first?  Tried to defend this place from someone she didn’t know?  His words dried up with the bitter taste of ale.

"And what is it this time you need help with?" 

"I don't have time to explain. Something isn’t right!  We need to move!" 

"I would advise you to find time." 

"Naofa, we may be different clans, but we are all dragons! United we can defeat our enemies, like we once did!" 

"Your enemies. I will not lead my people into a conflict at the request of a secretive clan teetering on madness from the Abyss and who refuses to explain their quest.  Particularly when their leader has used zero thought in how to ask for help and offers only his paranoia as proof." 

"We aren't sure who it is, but we must stop them!" 

"Then" he waved a delicate hand in annoyance as he rose, "by all means stop them, Tahir." 

 Tahir pounded his fist on the table once and turned towards the fire. Naofalas watched closely, weighing his character as he always did, waiting patiently.  "If," he took a shaky breath, "you will not help my people, will you help me? Please?" He turned to face Naofalas directly then, forcing his fist to open over his heart. His eyes like carnelian embers that could as easily be coaxed back to life as to die out. 

"...I do believe," Naofalas raised his eyebrows, "this is the first time you have directly asked for my help." 

"Naofa..." 

 Naofalas sighed again and regarded Tahir. "I think," he sat back down, "you better start at the beginning. The very beginning."   

“Why now?”

“Naofa, wouldn’t you seek to prevent the deaths of your people?”

“That’s not what I mean; you’ve had many times you could have come to me for help, so what is different about this time?”

Tahir studied his ale for a moment.  “Because something seems off about all this.  It's worse this time.”

“Tahir--”

“Naofa, please!  I need your help!”

“Then explain.”

“I can’t.  It’s…”

“It’s?”

Tahir forced himself to relax.  

The sunlight lazily began to filter in through the window, casting a golden glow throughout the room in the silence.  Despite the warmth, the shadows appeared that much darker in the brilliance of the sunrise. 

“Tahir, do you remember the academy?” Naofalas’s pensive eyes were staring into the past.

“Of course.”

“How long ago was that, now?”

He gave a small smile, “too long, but it feels like yesterday.”

“And do you remember the promise we made?”

“...yes.”

“Do you remember why we made it?”

“Yes.  Naofa, this isn’t…” he sighed. 

“Even then we knew our paths would pit us against each other, and yet we were determined to stay above politics.  You came here, attacked, asked for help but you give no explanation.  Were you anyone else---”

“The taint of the Abyss is spreading.  It's harder to control and...” he drifted off.

“What?  I thought you reinforced the wards and--”

“I did, but they failed.  As soon as we put more up, they fall.  In a week, the vegetation around Skia began to wither.  Within a month the pestilence had started twisting all life and poisons our emotions so the darkness within us takes over the weak.  Battling the Abyss's madness isn't new, but recently it has grown stronger, and more and more are finding it harder to resist.  We have already lost so many.  We are searching for the reason, but how can we trust our research if the assault is on our mind?!  The ag-dích sigil, it has suppressive powers, right?  I would not ask you to risk the lives of your people, but perhaps if we can suppress the Abyss's manipulation, we will find a way to contain it.”

“Tahir…”

“If that wasn’t bad enough, someone is spreading rumors that we have been cursed for evil misdeeds and deceit, that our lands have been blighted by the gods and any who have dealings with us will share in that fate.  It's likely related but right now rumors and bad reputation are the least of our worries.”

“You are asking a lot.”  He rubbed his temple.  "The ag-dích sigil isn't normally used like that, it's for--"

“Please, we must try Naofa!  I, we can't find the answer like this. You don't understand, always teetering on the edge of insanity.”

“Its suppression is in the memories it stores, not in--”

“Then we can study it to make the adjustments.  Memories are also linked to the Abyss.  It will work, it has to.  Please just try.  We have to do something!  I...I...”

"Tahir?"

"I nearly killed her, Naofa," barely a whisper as he stood and turned away.  "I'm losing control...I can feel it slipping away each time and I, I can't stop it.  I..."

Naofalas placed a hand on Tahir's shoulder.  "I will do what I can, but there is a reason it is very rarely used and only taught when passing it from one High Priest to another.  Finding one suitable for it is rare enough anyway.  I'm sorry, Tahir.  This I cannot do.”

“Naofa, please!  If I go mad, if I falter there is no one to...to...”

He sighed, “You are welcome to stay as long as you like.  I will see what alternatives may be worth investigating.  When you are ready, the guard outside can show you to your room.”   Naofa rose, and gently shut the door behind him.  Tahir slumped against the chair, staring sightlessly into space, trembling and waiting for the cold sweat of fear to recede before retiring to his room.  

Naofa’s robes fluttered as he walked to the infirmary.  He touched the healer’s shoulder, “You may go.  I will take over.”  With a bow, the healer wearily left the room.  “Kalla, I am so sorry.”  He placed a hand on her forehead and took her hand in the other as he spoke.  “Nothing excuses his behavior, but I also know he is not the darkness that takes over like a madness.  So many of his people have been consumed by that madness so he has become rather adept at controlling his emotions to prevent it.  Whatever you did, you were able to get under the facade he presents to the world.  To be guardians of the abyss, they must be able to both understand that madness and fight it for if they fail to regain control, they could rip the fabric between realms in a cataclysm unthinkable.”  He placed her hand on her chest and covered it with his own.  “I cannot imagine his position or the torment inside him.  It seems his struggle to maintain control is magnified, and every time he comes close to losing himself, he laments it as an utter failure.  I wonder if that gives the darkness more strength...but it also seems to fuel him even more to defeat it.”  Would you tell me to help him?  There are other options but if this was his reaction to encountering you it is far too dangerous to send you with him.  

He closed his eyes as a soft healing glow surrounded her.  

****

Under the ruins of a city and lifeless dunes, the castle had partially collapsed into a deep ravine.  The dragon’s base was mostly built into the side of that cliff, making it a formidable stronghold. The chill of the night air sent a shiver down her spine as she looked at the stars.  Mostly recovered from her encounter thanks to healers, she took in the familiar smell of roasting meat, savory spices, and fermented mead.  Life here was a little different than at the palace, but at least some of the comforts remained and at this moment, anything to remind her she was alive was welcomed.

From across the room, he watched her looking out over the valley below them.  Her hair seemed to glow with the firelight and when she turned from the open terrace, it reflected in her eyes like twinkling stars.  He sighed.  

Maybe I have spent too much time here.  Naofa won’t even listen to me anymore; I am just wasting time.  

He jumped as a mug of ale hit the table and she sat down.  She said nothing, just stared at him with tanzanite eyes.  He raised his head and regarded her with the same emotionless stare.  

“Good evening,” she finally spoke. 

He looked away in annoyance.

“It’s not poisoned if that’s your worry; we don’t do that type of thing here.”

Vexed silence answered her.

“It may not be what you are used to, but it’s not bad.  I’m sure you had a lot worse swill on your way here.”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“Of what?  A brooding dragon?”

“Of–I’m not brooding.  I nearly killed you.”

“You are sitting in a corner, scowling at everyone and lost in your thoughts.  That sounds like brooding.”

“Thinking is not brooding.”  He sat back and crossed his arms.

“Perhaps you make thinking look like brooding then.”

“What–You really aren’t scared!”

“Why would I be?”

He blinked, “Near-death experiences tend to make most people cautious.”

“I’m not most people.”

“Indeed.”

“So,” she took a drink, “what is on your mind that has you most certainly not brooding in a corner?”

“My thoughts are none of your business.”

“Then perhaps you should brood in private.”

“Excuse me?”

“You want something from Naofalas, why else would you come here, but by your expression, he hasn’t given it to you.  Either your life is extremely dull and you enjoy the atmosphere here or you are stubborn and won’t leave until you get what you want.  You also came here with such…fervent aggression, so I am left to wonder what you could possibly ask of him that he would refuse.  And since I can’t imagine the Abyssal Prince leading such a boring life that his frustration would peak over a mere trifle, I have to ask: why do you refuse to give up?”

“Listen, child–”

“I’m no child.  I would listen to your answer, but not to your chastising.”

“Why are you so interested?”

“For one,” she took another sip, “you nearly killed me for it so it must hold some importance to you.”

“It was hardly a risk on my end.”

She cast him a sardonic glance, “Hm.  Second, before I passed out, I saw, well, a few things actually, but mostly it felt like” her eyes unfocused for a moment, “…desperation is not the right word, but something equally as frantic.”  

“I am not desperate.”

“I said it wasn’t the right word, I’m not sure I know a word for it.”

“If there is no word, you were surely imagining things.  It is a common phenomenon when near death.”

“No, it wasn’t my imagination. I thought maybe if I spoke to you about it and discovered why you have stayed I could stop thinking about it.”  She appeared genuine, but the intensity of her gaze was unsettling.

“So you want to intrude into my thoughts just so you can quiet your own?”

“Essentially, yes.” She grinned.  “However, it was you who intruded first by coming here and I cannot make an offer to help or withhold it if I don’t know your cause, now can I?”  

“Fine.”  He took the stein and took a drink from it.  “Imagine seeing your people suffer.  Imagine knowing you would be able to stop it with just a little help.  Would you give up so easily just because someone said ‘no’?”  

Her eyes looked like glass as she regarded him for a long moment, not fully present until her teeth tugged ever so slightly at her bottom lip.  “And Naofalas has something that will help you?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”  They sat in silence, watching people come and go for a time.  “I think,” she took another drink, “you should not give up.”

“What?  Weren’t you just here trying to convince me to leave?”

“What you do is of no consequence to me, thus I have no investment in your presence or departure.  I wanted to know why you stayed and now that I know I think you have a chance, but you will have to convince him.”

“And how exactly do I do that?”  He could not hide the suspicion in his voice.

“I can speak with him if you like…although I don’t really know any details so that might be difficult to accomplish unless you tell me.”

“And why would I trust you when I haven’t trusted him with more details?”

“Well, I might have a way to word it so that he will listen?  At the very least it won’t be you saying the same thing again and again, and besides, sometimes it’s better to share our worries than hold them inside.”

His singular laugh dismissed her argument, “Did he put you up to this?”

“No.”

“Really," he scoffed, making to leave.

“It's not exactly hard to figure out when you go to him once a day.  People can't hear the conversation but we can hear raised voices and see you storm out and come here.  Every day.”

He growled, “What is your point then, human?”

“I don’t know what you need, but if it comes to Naofalas, I might be able to help you.  That’s all.  I know how he can be, and before you go off on him, remember that as badly as you want to help your people he wants to protect his.  Surely you understand that about him.”

“Don't tell me what someone I've known most of my life is like!”  

She leaned forward, looking into his smoldering eyes, "Look, all I am saying is I will help you with Naofalas.  I don’t need all the details, just enough to plead your case.”

“I do not need or want a human's help.”

“You sure about that?”  Seeing that logic and a playful approach had failed, she switched tactics with a huff.  “Fine.  Not my business anyway, right?  You’re the only one in pain, right?  Only one who has something to lose or perhaps already lost, so I couldn’t possibly understand?”  Her eyes burned into him as she stood, her words were cold anger, “but if I was no use, you would have been inside this stronghold long before Naofalas returned and if I were just a human, that gash wouldn’t still be healing.”

With that she downed the rest of her ale and left, leaving no chance to respond or ask what she meant by her final statement.  After a moment he stood in frustration and stalked off.

****

“Are you mad, Naofa?”

“Tahir,” he said wryly, “do you want my help or not?”

“But this is crazy!  I cannot take her with me!  If we actually were to face a battle, she'd--”

“Are you suggesting you will encounter enemies you cannot defeat?”

He took a breath and opened his eyes, leveling his voice.  “No, I am saying there will be enemies she cannot defeat.”

“Perhaps you should fight with her again.  In a...less restrictive environment.”

“You really have gone mad...”

“Tahir, we have known each other since we were boys.  In all those years, have I ever lied to your or suggested you do something I knew would end badly?”

“There is a first time for everything.”

“Have I?”

“No, but--”

“Then trust me once more.  What you fear, she can help you with if you give her the opportunity.”

“No.”  He turned to go but Naofalas caught his arm.

“Tahir, listen to me,” his eyes twinkled intensely.  “I do not have all the answers, but I do know this:  she is far more than you realize and give her credit for.  Can you honestly tell me that she did not pull you out of your madness?  Her wounds were grave, but you did not kill her.  Do you know why?”

“That's hardly the point!”  he spat back.

“Isn't it?  You ask me for help and I'm giving it to you.  Test her, let her see what it is you fear.  This is my answer to you.”

Tahir paused, lips parted, "And what if I do kill her?”

“You won't,” he gave Tahir an exasperated glance, “just try?”

“Just once?”  He was still unsure but if this was the only option Naofa would offer...

“Tahir, I know you sense it.  Magic deep within her but silenced; suppressed.”

“I... but she is still human.” 

“Indeed, but that is not all she is.  One. Try.”

“Alright,” he growled, "but if it gets too dangerous, I'm stopping this madness."

"If it gets to that point, I will remove her personally.”  

“Fine.”

Naofalas placed a pale hand on Tahir’s shoulder.  “She will find the answer, Tahir."