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Abel continued walking until Endymion was out of hearing range. Once he felt their conversation was safe, he turned to face Arious once again. "If I told you, you'd call me a liar. What I want to know is what happened to m-... your father, Arian. From what I'm told, he was quite an adept warrior-mage. So, how did he pass away?" Abel asked. Arious would be shocked by the questions, but Abel didn't care. He wanted to know just how the mage Arian met his end.

Abel turned away when Arious said Arian died on the battlefield. "I see." He murmured. After giving a quick sigh, he turned back around to face Arious. "Abel. Let's just say my family had a few problems, and I'm afraid my family name is a little sketchy. I've been told my father's surname was... Marquise." He explained. "So, he died in war, hm? Guess it's fitting for a war-mage..." Abel thought.

Abel scratched the back of is head. "I know. It's a long and delicate story... brother." He said as he sat down beside Arious. Another sigh escaped his lips. "Answer me one more question, and you can ask me whatever you wish. What was our father like?" He asked. Finally, Abel could ask the one thing he both long awaited and dreaded at the same time.

Only seconds earlier, Shira's mind had been filled with thoughts such as I'm a murderer, He took my brother, and (the most recurring one) Liam's a b*****d. Those were quickly overtaken by one solid, repeating thought: I'LL KILL HIM. Suddenly the scent of lilac touched her nose and Shira plowed into a man that hadn't been there before. She fell to the ground and looked up. He was the man from earlier- the one Silver called Helios- who had hurt Lisaya and had gone on a tirade at Liam. Shira's earlier thoughts were replaced by an emotion that ordinarily only Larken could make her feel: fear.

Jasmine tilted her head. "These people... the Valheru... I almost think I've heard of them before..." She glanced over at Larken and blinked. "What's wrong with you?"

Larken had gone white as a sheet. "The Valheru..." he repeated numbly. "You're joking..."

"Well anyway..." Jasmine said, feeling vaguely uncomfortable, "I may be able to figure out what Shira meant. It'd just be a little tricky... I need to string together the events of the past couple days to see where she went and who she encountered. I've heard rumors of her having this 'survival mode' in which she trusts no one and does whatever it takes to survive. If she met someone out of this survival mode..." She trailed off thoughtfully.

Larken regained his calm. There was no need to worry about the Valheru at the moment. Right now he just had to figure out what to do. He was Larken, for Din's sake! He was more powerful than this junior earth mage, puttering after a trail that most likely no longer existed... why was he comparing his power to hers?

(Life is slow right now, so I figured I'd do something I should have done a while ago and started reading the RP from the beginning... and on page 29, Shira's picture is posted. TWICE. Random thing, but like I said earlier, life is a bit slow ATM.)
(Somewhere in the world, "It's a Small World After All" is playing...)

Arious was quiet for a period of time before he finally spoke. He had been lost in flow of memories when his sister was just a small baby and toddler. "Father... He was a powerful man... His magic was that of the sky. The purest blue that could ever be know. He was a strong and adventurous man, never letting anything stop him. He was a great swordsman who taught me and my mother how to defend ourselves. But... he was away from home a lot. He had sailed for a good part of his life with Master Julian... He came upon magic isles and defeated numerous beasts... But the army had him back home... The Gallans were invading the northern borders... They have great power, but perhaps it was enough to match his... His confidence cost him a battle and he was sent to this little village to recuperate... and ultimately met my mother..." He trailed off thinking of the woman that captivated his father's heart. Lilly... a beautiful noble who was always looking after the hurt. Arious took a breath and continued. "After he was nursed back to his health... he felt a need to go off adventuring. So he would go off and search for opponents to duel as well as things to study. But he did find himself draw back to the Village of Crydee... And that is were he married and had a family. But soon enough, war was upon us again. I was twelve... I believe... and Lisaya only about six. Well, father was called away once again to face off some war, but it was across the Emerald ocean on the other side of this world." He trailed off once again thinking of the depression he went through after his father died. Lisaya didn't understand what had even happened. "It was the last we saw of him... But alas... a year or two later... we get a letter from the crown saying he was missing while amidst the fighting."

Endymion April with back to the castle ignoring her protests completely. "You do not understand. Think." He moved into the vast library where they wouldn't be disturbed. "How often has your father spoken about his father's past?" He let her think a minute while he paced away from her. "Give him some time. He will tell you of his own accord when he is ready. You must realize, it must be painful for him. Not to mention he is a sort of state of shock at finding he has a half brother." He let that settle while he trailed his hands across the numerous books in the library. He closed his good eye and placed his right hand at the shadow eye Darious had given him. "Now April, you must also think about what that means about his father." He took a breath and in a flash of blue and red magic he removed the shadow eye. He ground his teeth trying his best not yell at the pain. He took another breath and placed the shadowy thing is a bubble he formed quickly. "Now...April... For that man to be here... that means that his father... had relations other than his mother... It would make a man so highly praised with a good reputation appear to be bad... Understand my drift...?" He walked a couple more isles over and took the blue crystal in his hand. It flared happily as he removed the eye from it's holder. Then with a sharp breath he replaced the eye and took a breath of surprise as he felt his original power flood back into him. Blue light flashed blindingly as he began to straighten. His powers... have returned... "April..." He smiled reaching out his hand and felt the magic surging within him.

Lisaya quietly listened to Jasmine and Larken talking. But she was very much distracted by what was going on downstairs in what felt to be the library. She felt an immense power growing in strength. It was almost as if Helios were back... but it didn't feel quite as icy... Then was it Endymion...? She also felt April there as well... She took a deep breath trying to concentrate her energy so that she could understand what was going on. But she suddenly felt cool hands stroking her hair back behind her ears. She looked up and saw a face she did not even think of seeing. "Sha..Shadow...?" But she as surprised to see him all unorganized, his hair was falling about his face and he had several bruises. His clothing also seemed to be torn in some places. She immediately turned so she could see him fully. "What... happened to you...?"

Shadow smiled as he looked down at Lisaya. "I could ask the same of you... It is almost as if you disappeared... I mean... Helios..." He simply trailed off staring into her beautiful light green eyes. "Lisaya...I've missed you..." He scooped her up in a hug and kissed her fiercely ignoring the two young onlookers across the room. He pulled away slowly, feeling something odd. He pulled her back and looked at her belly. It was very... roundish... as if... His eyes were suddenly very wide realizing what he was seeing. "You... you're...with my..." Lisaya looked away from him a little sadly. She was quite far along, but that did not matter. He estimate a month to go... He lifted up her chin and kissed her gingerly. "It is wonderful, Love... Do not be ashamed of such a miracle..." He scooped her up in his arms. "Come, you must rest..." He looked at Jasmine and Larken and nodded, a devilish smile on his face. He was more than happy about being a father. He even ignored Endymion's presence below. Nothing could rain on his parade at the moment.

Rugen suddenly turned feeling a surge of power in the library. "No.. It couldn't be Helios... There is no evil Aura..." He dashed toward the place but himself stopped feeling the power that so imitated his best friend's. There seemed like an unbreakable wall that would not let him pass. He found himself almost being scanned by the power. He immediately put up his defenses so that none could perceive his thoughts. Finally the magic began to ease up as it absorbed back into it master. "Incredible!... That felt like a strong power... Could it be... Endymion...?" He turned slowly thinking to himself. They must not let anymore fall prey to the Valheru. Especially such a strong ally like Endymion. Surely with Arious, himself, Milamber, Endymion, and Lisaya fighting they could win...?

Milamber was quiet as he began to fade from room. "There is going to be another attack... but who and where... I can feel it... but I.. cannot pinpoint who it is... Their victim seems to have no magic... What is this trickery... surely they do not take plain mortals to their sides..." He floated a while in the throne room but began to drift away toward where Endymion was. He knew that he would not be so easily tempted to go over to the Valheru... They already had the man's brother. It would be his deepest desire to get him back. The ghost then saw a flash of Silver. Was it the elven woman? He quickly followed her wondering something . Why did he feel that this woman had such a dark future above her. His whispery voice rang out in her mind. "Where is it that you are going, Elf of the royal blood...?"

Trisiana smiled up at Darious. "I know there is one... Mother used to talk about it... and Liam is always saying that there is one..." She had it all drawn out in her head. When you first entered the room, would look like a jungle with birds flying about and tall trees. The room almost seemed like it were in a different dimension. There would be a desk and study on the main level. Then a small pond that was acid... Then once you spoke the command, it would disappear to reveal a staircase that would wind downwards into the warm rocks. It would spin down until you heard a waterfall in the distance. There it would be an underground lake that was warmed by an ancient magic. And below that would be a master bedroom that was carved out of the roots of trees. Then there would be little green leaves dotting the ceiling... She blinked realizing she had spaced out dreaming of her brother's magic room. Darious had been there before so he should remember most of it... "Well, I know the lake is on one of the lower levels..." She smiled up at him. She simply wore his shirt which looked looked like a dress on her because it was so long. She had a little bag that held her clothes and such. She smiled up at him her reddish pink eyes mischievous. "Shall we...?" She snuggled against him not caring that he could probably feel all of her curves. She stroked his arm lightly and looked up at him waiting patiently.

Helios looked down at the girl and swished his wrist slightly. She immediately rose up from the ground and floated steadily in the air before him. The air about him was freezing... That was how it always was when he was around... Freezing. His magic swirled out in front of her creating ice on the floor. It slowly began to eat up her feet and calves. She was slowly starting to freeze, piece by piece. "You may want to explain yourself... rather quickly..." Came his dark and smooth voice. His pale blonde hair glimmered slightly as his lilac blue eyes stared at her cold and dangerously. He was very upset about something...

Liam rose up and tried to follow Shira but found the temperature of the room drop suddenly. Father... Damn... Why didn't she listen... He pulled up his hood and took a deep breath and walked normally down the hall. Just around the other bend stood his dark and demented father. He was still over the loss of Lisaya which did not help Shira in the least. The man was completely deranged even though he had tried to kill her. He knew that the dark power within had corrupted what little patience and temper control he had. He prayed to the gods for strength. If his father saw through him... then not only would he be in trouble... But then there would definitely not be any hope for Shira... No one else would be able to come to her rescue in the dark abyss they lived in... When he looked around the corner, he saw his father using a freezing spell that would kill anyone it touched. He was surprised it hadn't killed her yet. Did she have some kind of flame kindled within her...? But he though he already knew the answer to Helios' question from Shira... and if she smarted off... No no.. that would NOT be good... Shira... you must listen to me... He is in a mad rage... Should you feel yourself slipping... from consciousness, Please...just... plead a few words... If you do... you will live... TRUST me... Nothing will stop the man...

((Pant pant. Dear god... Dioji, don't hate me. And might I just say... I think I spent two hours on that post... and another thing.Beware. Endymion has his full powers back. That means he got some of his abilities back as well. So for future reference, He can heal people quite well now, read minds, and create heavy rainstorms/hurricanes. Plus his battle magic is a lot stronger now so He is just as powerful as the crazy Helios we have on our hands. And I think that is all... ))

April turned her face away when Endymion spoke her. Moving through the Library. How could she be reminded of her damn curiosity in a place she loved so much. She remembered in her youth, her curiosity about her past always forced questions on her parents. Where her grandfather/grandmother was, and more about her families histories pressing down on her. Her Mother, always avoided the question, stating she's been abandoned since she was little, and couldn't remember her own family. Arious, was different. Though every time she pressed the matter, Arious did not make excuses, but rather distractions. The question was quickly avoided with a book, or a new spell, or a new artifact that her father would bring back on his adventures. So, getting the hint that both her parents had difficult paths they did not wish to discuss, even to a young girl like herself, she didn't press on about it. She blinked out of her memories, no longer thinking of her past. The magic flex and flashed before her eyes, the blinding blue light filling the aisles of the Library. She had to cover her eyes, making her stumble backwards. Once everything had faded, April glanced up again, her eyes widened at what she saw... what she felt. "Endymion?" She gasped, seeing the man at his full potential, looking at her with both of his blue eyes.

Silver turned her head away when Shadow made his way into the room. "Let us let them be..." Silver murmured, standing and ushering Larken and Jasmine out of the room. She turned her Silver eyes towards Lisaya and Shadow. She knew that she would be safe... and besides the Link would keep them together. She stayed outside the closed door, not going to far due to the Link. She blinked when she heard a voice in her head. How did you... Who are you? something slipped into her head. Her ancient language was mixing with her English one, she still had no idea who it was. However, memories of her family came back, stories of the ancient days and of a man... "Guardian... of Time..." She murmured under her breath.

(. . . LISAYA! Dangit! Now, I have to come up with an even longer post sometime in the future! Bah! ^_^ But, I'm going to do get my comp. a new graphics card for now. My current one is... rather old, and probably about to bite the dust. I'll be back to post in a bit.)