Sethia

[Lasius]

The Storm clouds over Sethia darkened the sky for miles, lightning rippled across them constantly, the populace of the city was used to such elemental outbursts, being Sedi, but the current situation and Tension was different, many kept a wary eye on the skies, some rushing inside for cover, it seemed that the Sedi were becoming more paranoid, a completely understandable reaction from a race consistently faced with extinction at a whim, not to mention half of them had abruptly vanished without explanation.

Light and Lightning crackled in the center of the storm as the clouds built on each other, and a singular bolt crashed down through the top of the Sethian High Keep mere seconds after the departure of the Sage of Shadows. It ripped through floor after floor before finally crashing to a halt in the Main Hall. A place Lasius had not set foot in thousands of years. The White marble hall was covered in dust. He silently made a mental note to get some air Sedi in here as housekeepers. Dust wouldn't be much of a problem then. He glanced at the dust covered tapestries each one depicting an image of one of the former Lord Generals. In fact his own was here, but not Daegan's, the man had always ruled from Cyrida, and this room had fallen into disuse when he had ascended.

He glanced over his shoulder at the dust covered sapphire throne from which he had ruled for so many years so long ago. Not something he was looking forward to again, curse Daegan for putting this responsibility back on him. Regardless this hall was likely the only place in the Keep that someone wouldn't enter haphazardly. His eyes drifted up tot he charred hole left through levels above and the churning clouds visible beyond. He'd have to get someone to fix that now too. Lightning was never the most subtle of elements. He laughed as he waited for Malkate's arrival.

There was a lot that needed to be done, orders to be issued, society to be rebuilt, thankfully his city was in fairly decent shape. More than could be said for the Keep of Lightning which had been annihilated months previous in their return to this dimension. It was to be expected of course, nothing lasted, it was with sadness that he knew that even what he built here now would be gone in a few centuries. Such was the Sedian way.

The Keep shuddered and he blinked looking up. How could he have forgotten, The Dragons head pushed through the hole he had made and watched him curiously before removing its head and curling up on top of the keep apparently having decided that the massive structure was just fine as a bed for the moment.

“I know you are new at this Mal, but geeze shouldn't take you this long” Patience wasn't something Lightning Sedi were known for.

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

Malkate’s form flickered into view elsewhere, landing inside the city moments prior to the leave of the Sage of Shadows. She sauntered into the halls right as Lasius was complaining, having quickly piled her hair atop her head in a messy bun, long lashes batting against her cheeks as her bare feet slid collecting more dust with the mud along with them. Her nose wrinkled, as if in a girlish distaste though really it was more from the odd feeling of wet mud drying to her feet mixed with the grit of the dust that collected upon the halls. The massive dragon that perched on the keep caused her to blink rapidly a few times before a soft smile curved her lips, and she couldn’t hide the twitch to her hips as she moved towards Lasius, her violet eyes shimmering.

“I’ve been waiting, dearest, I don’t know what your complaining about. When I said we needed to speak I hadn’t imagined you meant here…”

She paused near him, taking a look around the room curiously. Malkate had been his wife once, and had seen a lot of this man but she’d never seen this part of his life before. That was another time and another place entirely and she was curious to see where once he’d been. Her eyes took in the tapestries, one in particular that got her attention wavering from him as she walked towards it, calling a breeze to shift most off the dust off; but in the process causing herself to sneeze a few times, her eyes watering quickly before she looked up and smiled. She knew the handsome face that stared back at her in a particular way that made her stomach turn on itself slightly; a fluttering of emotion she’d not felt in awhile.

It was lighthearted, and it was innocent and chaste. It caused her lips to curve in a less flirtatious and more of a natural smile caused her to drop her eyes down as her mind was filled with memories that had nothing to do with hurt, pain, Darkness or anything more than simple days of life. All of them focused around that one man that was in the room with her, chaotic and crazy all bundled up with the love and adoration inside of him. Her violet eyes turned back to him and she stepped closer, reaching out a hand to once more roll the edges of his long hair in her hands, laughter tugging at her lips. Rebuilding would need to start soon but she was unsure of how to start in a city, she was trained for many things but the diplomatic tasks; not so much in a sense.

“I was thinking that a warm bath sounded nice, before the world demanded time again..”

[Lasius]

His head whipped around at Malkate's entrance into the the Hall. It was expected, but as always startling. She had had little to do with the creation of Terra Centilina and the forging of the Sedian Empire. Ever since Lasius had returned to his homelands he had never found a passing moment to leave unless compelled to do so. Well all that would change now, it seemed that she had chosen to stay here, his eyes played over her newly formed Sedian body, dirty and wet as it was it was just as captivating as her human one had been. He realized then that it was her that captivated him and not her body. The thought brought a smile to his lips.

Running footsteps echoed down hallway, and Lasius looked up expectantly, no sooner than his eyes graced the doorway than three Sedian Elites stepped through eyes searching and quickly landing on his and Malkate's Form's. It didn't take them long to recognize him, even looking slightly different there was enough of his looks remaining for them to understand who he was. They dropped their weapons to the ground and dropped to their knees staring wide eyed at the former God of the Sedi. It occurred to him that no one had told them that he had fallen from God-hood, nor that he was the new Lord General. Simple enough to rectify.

“Ahh, well if it takes you that long to respond to what could quite possibly have been an attack on the heart of the empire I no longer question why our race faces extinction every other week.” His eyes drifted over to the rank insignia on the Elite's bracers. “Alright Captain I have some very simple orders for you. Do try to carry them out promptly. You are to tell the remaining population in Sethia, that I have returned to Sedian Form and assumed the title of Lord General of our people once more. In case you were wondering that's Lasius, L-A-S-I-U-S. Please don't mistake me with just any other Sedi you bump into, as this lovely Gray hair attests too I have been around awhile.”

He glanced at the mans two companions both of which were trying very hard to shrink behind him and become invisible. He sighed and shook his head, there was just no way to lead a normal life after being a god, even if you were not one any longer.

“Oh and While you are at it I want you to start overseeing the reconstruction and repair of the city, its a dump and I'm appalled that you people have let it get this rundown. Just LOOK at my hall?! Are you serious?” He gestured at the near foot of dust laying over everything. “I'll be out to address the populace shortly, in the meantime send one of these brave and trustworthy men of yours to prepare my private chambers, and make sure there is a hot bath waiting there understood?”

The man nodded silently and rose unsteadily to his feet his aqua colored eyes darting tot he man at his left and gesturing wildly. The man took off personally to find servants to tend to the chambers, even as the Captain turned and jogged out to carry out Lasius' other commands. The thought of leaving a bodyguard never even occurred tot he man, after all, who was going to protect Lasius?

He turned to Malkate after they left an apologetic look on his face. It seemed they were always getting interrupted. “Well now that that is out of the way...” He crossed the space between them in an instant and encircled his arm around her waist crushing her against him not particularly caring about her wet and muddy condition, and kissing her fully.

The kiss lasted some time, lost in her presence as he was, happy to finally have a second with her where the world wasn't about to crack apart and hatch some vile giant frog or something. So long had they been apart, and just when they finally find each other again they are threatened with death from all angles. Typical.

When he finally pulled back from her he smiled a some what sad smile and let his hands fall by his sides. “I'm sorry, I cant begin to tell you how sorry I am, all the wasted time, time we could have spent together, things we could have done or shared gone that I can never get back. It's unforgivable, what I did, you know this as well as I do.” He sighed and shook his head, then pushed his hair out of his eyes irritatedly. “What I'm going to say probably is about as erratic and ridiculous a thing as I have ever said, but I mean it nonetheless. I don't know how you feel about what happened between us, but You know I can't leave this place, these people, I would have you as my wife here with me if you would take me back.”

He turned from her and walked towards the Sapphire throne, its not that he didn't want to look at her, its that he wasn't sure how he would handle her answer either way it came back, and he was too fearful of her reaction to his words to look her in the eye and wait for her response. He knew he had wronged this woman, long enough ago to be lost in even the oldest histories, but women never forgot.

He stared at his own murky reflection in the dust covered polished surface of the throne while he awaited her response, either way life was changing, nothing would ever be the same, not for him or her, or for the Sedi in general. So much change in so little time, but then thats how it always seemed to be.

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

Agitation was something that was apparent upon this woman’s face as the guards sounded down the hall. The lightning crashing through the roof, a large dragon; and they just appeared? Not to mention her time she wanted with him was interrupted and the idea of having a few crispy elites was more than a tempting thought at the second; but she controlled that fleeting idea and instead patiently curled her hands into fists at her side, turning to study once more the tapestry on the wall; though the white knuckle grip relaxed when the orders for a hot bath were sounded, and her shoulders slumped with a slight tug pulling at her lips as she turned to face Lasius, hearing the retreating footfalls. Even as they were leaving, she laughed; half under her breath.

“You know, for what they’ve been through that could be called pretty harsh.”

She felt her laughter bubbling up inside of her again, her earlier dreariness escaping to the delightful idea of having him to herself – for as long as time could buy. Though this feeling was intensified for more than a short while when he kissed her; and the entire world spun. It was bliss but more than simple connections of body and hormones; it was as if years of animosity and centuries of loneliness had finally met a burial; and it was in that time she knew with a solid determination that no woman would take him away from her again. Certainly not a misunderstanding Sage for that matter, either. Her arms encircled his waist, careless; heedless to the world besides the rapture of that time that chased away her demons, so to say.

As he started rambling she blinked, his apologies healing apart of her that needed to hear it but she in turn wanted to say her piece; but there would be no opportunity, no chance. Though even as he pushed his hair away from his face the uncontrollable desire to grab it and pull it back (and what an enticing idea) so he would speak without being so distracted was almost there. As he started speaking she arched a brow; almost afraid that he might be throwing her out or possibly.. well she wasn’t sure besides he was making little sense at the moment. Ah, the question. It hit her like a ton of bricks, surprise causing all of her nerves to sing to her, and there was this audible rushing ringing in her ears as she wobbled, reaching out to the wall to steady herself. It was surprise that caused the reaction, the suddenness of it but the abruptness and his nervousness caused a harsh bark of laughter that took her so hard she was reaching an arm to steady herself as tears collected in her eyes.

It was a sound that was loud enough to echo through the almost empty halls and something that took her breath away. She couldn’t even focus on Lasius’ face, because her vision was blurred. When she could catch her breath enough to stand, she moved towards Lasius, moving to grab his face delicately between her hands, tucking the hair behind his ears before she moved to tuck those slender fingers beneath his chin, her violet eyes glittering with the unshed tears that seemingly wished to join their fallen brethren as she smiled at him, her breaths coming in collective gasps as now two sets of lungs ached to catch up with their hysterical owner’s mind. She took in a deep breath, trying to steady herself once more as she disciplined herself and smiled, a pure smile; untainted by anything but her feelings towards him which had returned with a passionate intensity.

“Daegan’s going to be pissed at you, you know. I think you should have him at your right hand for the ceremony…”

Her eyes glittered again and she dropped her fingers to wipe away the tears from her eyes, and she took in another deep breath.

“Of course I’ll marry you, Lasius. Though before I need to say my peace, so that history can be laid to its grave, because even though you have wronged me I have too; wronged you and I need to find that peace within you.

I was waiting for you when Sever first came, I thought I was too powerful to attack but he caught me off guard. His voice was join or die, I honestly had little chance. I thought I’d outwit the man when I agreed for the sake of living but my imprisonment went farther than I ever imagined. With him life was a temporary solution to the pain I felt inside; and when you came to me I was very much a bitter woman who believed every honeyed lie he said to me. I did some terrible things, some very terrible things and I never meant to hurt you. There’s no excuse for that, but I can tell you that I will never return there. I will not let this Darkness be a curse; I will not fall like your brother. I am stronger, and I will better it for Darkness in itself is not evil. I understand him better, in a way, but I will never turn against you. The day I find corruption at my soul is the day my last breaths will leave me…”

She reached out, offering to grab his hand as she let out a long breath, a soft smile lighting up her face again.

“So how about that bath?”

[Lasius]

Her initial laughter caught him off guard, although in truth he was as prepared for her scorn as he was for her acceptance. Truthfully she was a shock to him, her very presence here in his home realm, her feelings her words. Everything about her always seemed to completely throw him through a loop, when it came to her he never truly knew whether he was coming or going. And so it was proved again when she took his face in her hands gently. Her acceptance of him left him in numb shock, in truth he was as terrified as he was happy, terrified of letting himself get close enough to her that should anything happen to her he would snap again as he had done in his youth when his first wife and daughter had been murdered.

He didn't voice any of this but instead listened to her as she explained her encounter with Sever and what she had endured. It seemed in a way she was half explaining, half seeking forgiveness. To him that was ludicrous, of all the people to seek forgiveness from him Malkate was on the bottom of the list as far as he was concerned.

Her words about the Darkness inside her didn't reassure him, he knew she would own the Sage, he had complete faith in her but the thought of her dying rather than betraying him, he couldn't keep silent at that. He regarded her with a seriousness unparalleled in his eyes with any other time she had ever looked into them.

“I'll not lie to you, the Sage that resides within you is potentially the most dangerous force in this world, However I don't doubt your ability to handle it, I wouldn't trust anyone else with it in them as far as I trust you. If it ever consumes you, mark my words I will purge it from you utterly, balance be damned, nothing is coming between us again. I'll not allow you to die.”

He frowned slightly his hand unconsciously gripping the Arc of Light as he looked her over, but shook his head silently, the Sage of Light screamed inside his head to take hold of all the Light of Creation and annihilate that infernal Darkness once and for all, but he squashed it ruthlessly. He had owned that awareness since day one and it new better than to cross him.

His eyes softened abruptly, there was time enough to worry about these things when and if they ever happened. He decided to push the issue aside in his head and enjoy himself in this time of relaxation. Beside who knew what new threat would interject itself on them any minute, better to have fun now. His thoughts were interjected by the massive rumbling of his stomach, with wide eyes he realized he had not eaten anything as long as he could remember, Sedian physiology be damned he was hungry.

”Bath... Yes water sounds great, and food, gods be hanged for a crust of bread or something!”

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

Malkate listened to his reaction and part of it saddened her as much as her heart sped up at his words. The grip on the Arc of Light made her lips twitch in a smile; but she’d rather die than ever hurt him, though she knew that they were both going to be equally stubborn about keeping the other alive. The darkness moved within her as a response but she ignored the lingering presence within her, embracing instead the happiness of her brain produced from the closeness of their bodies and the very reality of remarrying him. Though even as the thought form a small frown appeared on her face; were weddings here similar to those from her prior one? She’d no longer had the ring he gave her; for she’d given it back to him. Her violet eyes flickered over him, her mind going that he would have probably placed some kind of ritual from his people in their prior marriage if there was something different; wouldn’t he have?

She laughed again at his words, her head tilting back as she let it spill out of her. Malkate reached for his hand again, curling her fingers through his as she half-dragged him through the hallways, sure that as soon as she stepped into the unfamiliar hallway that he would drag her rest of the way. Her eyes lingered over him as the idea of dragging him off to the bath and asking for food within the room was tempting mostly because she could then ward the edges of the room so no one could disturb them; world be damned. The thought was tempting enough that she opened her mouth to speak, but it was instantly silenced as the sporadic thought took a hold of her once more, and her mind went once more to the odd events that took a hold of them these days. From seeking the Arc of Life; to battling Sitherack, to her death and rebirth, and the final showdown with the Sage of Darkness that now resided within her.

No, she would not become its slave, and the leash of control she had upon it she mentally tightened, a solemn swear to herself that she’d never be tempted (even when the voice in the back of her mind whispered that everyone gave in… eventually) or harness that power unless she needed to. Though the lingering idea of using the knowledge of how to control an element not her own or even normally used by her to test her control over the abilities that came with the Sage was tempting; but almost with weary as she was sure that if Daegan’s abilities were anything near Nuria’s he’d see every thing she did; a sly grin had her thinking that the little shadow spy would not be allowed to see if she managed to drag Lasius off for a few hours. Oh, the steam from the bath could relax all the muscles in her body that seemingly kept tightening of their own accord, though the scent of food hitting her nose roused a nasty hunger within her suddenly.

Her violet eyes turned predatory again though of a different nature, and she slid her fingers from Lasius enough to follow her nose towards the source of that food, the kitchens where the people ran around like some kind of humors analogy of a chicken with its head cut off to her. The only thing that seemingly stayed still were the animals who were trying to hide from sight but be in vision enough to catch any scraps dropped or tossed carelessly. With the sudden return of all people it would seem that many got right away to cooking and moving about with their tasks, and the kitchen was alive as those whom loved their duties began preparing and moving about. The look in Malkate’s eyes was ravenous at the sights of all the foods being prepared and she slid into the kitchen, trying to mutter quick replies to those who would shoo her out as she explained she was grabbing a plate for her and the new Lord General; to which most seemed to be willing to accommodate.

She moved fast, using the new body and those lightning reflexes to dodge those bustling about as she heaped food generously from meats, fruits, to sweets and breads onto a tray that had managed to be overlooked by the bee’s of the kitchen, and she slid out into the hallways, that devilish look appearing in her eyes as she looked at Lasius, winking at him as she challenged him a race to his rooms, and simply vanished. Unlucky for her; the new body wasn’t quite willing to keep up with her belief that she’d found the right pathways and she landed outside the door, and almost right into one of the men who was preparing the baths. A quick startled look on her part and a quick oath, and the reflexes to catch the tray before it fell had her mood balancing on knife’s edge for a second before she managed to find a smile and slid into the room, looking for a flat, clean surface in which to place the tray down on.

Asking politely if one of the men could bring her new clothes later for someone her size she waited for the others to leave and Las to show up before she’d sit down to eat, not at all being liberal with how hungry she was; and surprised to find that with the new body came new appetites. Metabolism worked differently, and with duel organs of many natures she had more to feed than with her human belly. Of course, once she was done she sat back; the look of a contented cat upon her features before she stood, and stretched her arms above her head, eying the bath that had been drawn for them and the look of almost longing that came over her face. She enjoyed hot soaks and missed the natural hot springs that had come from one of the previous worlds she’d lived in. Shimmying out of her dress with no shyness to it, in fact making sure her back was turned to Las she merely looked over her shoulder, the glitter in her violet eyes anything but bashful before she’d move into the tub and slide in…

…now this was heaven.

[Lasius]

He watched as random thought took hold of Malkate, it caused him to smile as he watched her, lost in her own thought and wandering off towards the kitchens. He walked along behind her silently, his mind lost in thought. The smells of the kitchens tugged at him and made his stomach growl, but it his mind was still preoccupied. Which was fine because Malkate was heaping up a whole feast on that tray of hers he just walked along behind until she challenged him to another race. He blinked as her form vanished. He would let her win this particular race it gave him a chance to tend to a few things on the way to his chambers.

He sought out one of the higher ranking servants in the kitchen and issued orders to have the main hall cleaned. She bobbed her head and sent four servants off to tend to it immediately. Next there was these Arcs to tend to. Death was particularly distasteful to him, his experiences with the element always led to unpleasantness. And Fire was still corrupted by the lingering Darkness of Sitherack's corruption. He sighed and embraced the Lightning element and let it roar through his soul to the max. it was an effort to keep the storm clouds gathered over the city from bursting open and drenching the city in a massive rainstorm.

He had no intention of riding the storm right now, there was far too much to be done, and it was better to get it out of the way now so people didn't come pounding on his door ten minutes after he got there. He vanished from the kitchen leaving electricity crackling across the floor and causing the head cooks hair to stand on end. All work in the kitchen stopped briefly as the servants couldn't control their amusement, some literally rolling on the floor with laughter at the sight of their boss.

His form reappeared in the central Armory of the Keep, it was here that the weapons of the Sedian Elites were kept, his eyes looked around at the imbued weaponry and Armor. This room was usually guarded closely, but with the chaos now ensuing in the city it would have been a miracle to find even a semblance of military order within Sethia. He moved deeper into the Armory, his eyes playing across the weapons and armor that Sitherack had ordered created by Magick Sedi for countless years before his demise. He had a feeling they would see use again, peace was never permanent in Terra Centilina.

He walked to the rear wall, and traced his fingers across the smooth marble, it had been many years but he was sure that no one would have altered it... click, there... the wall flickered and faded from view, a solid illusion created by a Warding put in place many thousands of years ago with the Arc of Magick. Inside was an empty weapons rack with 12 empty slots each designed to hold a specific weapon. He place the Arc's of Fire and Death where they fit, and used energy from the Arcs of Light and Lightning to re-energize the protective wards around the rack. They ought to be safe here, as safe as anything was these days. For a brief second he had the urge to take them with to his chambers and keep all four Arcs on him. The Sage of Light screamed inside him that with those those Arc's he could rip the Darkness from the world once and for all. The Sage was getting out of hand lately and it was time to do something about it.

He turned and reactivated the ward that hid the wall, then closed his eyes quietly. His form shimmered brightly and abruptly split in two. He stood there staring at another of himself, his alter form was brighter, the colors more vibrant, and seemed to emit a soft light, in a way it was like looking at a bright version of Sitherack. He narrowed his eyes and resisted the urge to take hold of the Arc's at his side. The double had no weapons, as the Arcs themselves could not be split in two. After so many years as the Sage of Light he had come to be able to manipulate the entity in way most people couldn't begin to imagine.

“You have been a pain in my ass for the last several hours Sage, need I remind you that I make the decisions in our arrangement? Need I once again demonstrate why you obey me?” his right hand tightened into a fist and thunder roared so loudly it shook the Keep to its foundation, the clouds thickened over the city until it looked like the dead of night. The Sage's form dimmed and its eyes glanced upwards at the ceiling of the Armory as though looking through the structure at the clouds above. It raised its hands in a warding way before stepping backwards and locking its eyes back on Lasius'

“You know I understand, you work to further the ways of the Light and in turn I have accepted your idiotic need for balance. Your fear keeps you from realizing your true potential! But we have had this argument many times and I gave up trying to convince you thousands of years ago you stubborn ancient fool...”

The voice was Lasius' but with subtle inflections and tones that were completely alien to him. It always unnerved him the way the Sage of Light spoke, and hearing it with his ears and not just his mind grated on his nerves even more than the entities commentary.

“Ancient eh? Kinda odd coming from a being that has existed since the beginning of time. Besides it's not my fault that you have a completely one sided perspective, you know very well as much as I do that if one Sage gains more power than any other then the other two will crush him no matter how much power he gains. Or were you not there just a couple hours ago?”

“I was there you fool, and rather than take action I watched as you let the Sage of Darkness infect your mate and then you embraced the vile thing and welcomed it into your home. Are you asking for...”

The Sage cut off as Lasius' fist cracked it clean in the jaw, it collapsed on the floor, luminescent blood pouring down its mouth and out its nose, it turned with blinding speed to rise to its feet but halted eyes widening at the cold brilliant blade of the Arc of Light resting against its neck.

“One more word about her and I will end your eternal existence balance be damned.”

The Sages eyes darted down at the blade and back to Lasius it could be hurt, but it didn't know if it could be killed, Lasius didn't know either, but the look in the mans eyes said he wouldn't want for trying.

“You are mad! Your love for her will be the end of you mark my words...”

The Sage cut off as the blade pressed harder to his throat, luminescent blood trickled down his throat and dripped tot he floor as the Sage tightened his fists eyes glaring hatefully into Lasius' own. One day he would have his revenge on this mortal, one day Light would suffuse the world and all would be back on track once more. But for now he was silent.

“Good, I see you can be taught, like a dog, you need to be shown who your master is. You disgust me with your narrow minded views. I'll never understand how an entity like you survived as long as you did. If you ever cross me again I'll bring Sitherack back from the dead and I'll stuff you in his body, and you can sit there, useless and unable to do a damn thing inside an entity of the Dark, and stew in your self righteous rage for all eternity.”

The Sage's head dropped as it lowered its eyes, shoulders slumping. It knew it couldn't do much without being in harmony with Lasius. It would destroy him utterly if it had the power, until then it would just wait, as it always had, time claimed everything, and sooner or later Lasius would die again and it would seek its freedom.

Lasius lowered the Arc of Light, and the figure in front of him shimmered and vanished his own body suffused with light once more and he tucked the Sage back into his mind, where it sat quietly brooding once more.

He closed his eyes and sheathed the Arc of Light letting the Storm outside dissipate and the sun filter through to the city below. It was time to eat, no more delays, his form vanished in a brief flicker of light, and reappeared in his Chambers as Malkate was eating. He stepped up to the food and began to stuff his own face eagerly. It was wonderful, the food the comfort of home Malkate's presence the warmth the steaming bath was providing the room.

He glanced at her as she walked towards the bath, his lips twitched in a smile as she shed her dress, there was more to life than food anyway, he stood and unclipped his weapons belt the Arc's dropping the floor, and touched the door as he walked by leaving a residue of Lightning in the heavy door. Any poor servant or soldier who knocked would be shocked into unconsciousness.

[Daegan]

Daegan twitched slightly in his sleep, a grimace spreading across his face as a tiny bolt of Soul Fire danced over his eyelid. His hand clenched into a fist as his head shifted from one side to the other, pupils racing under the Sage’s lids. Within his mind, his thoughts raced around the events that had happened. Image after image wrought what he was certain Malkate would turn into. Or worse, what Lasius would.

“You’ve given up your power, Necromancer. You’ve allowed our sacred home to be defiled by the Dark. How weak you’ve become.”[/b]

The braziers in the room exploded to life as Daegan’s fists clenched, his face grimacing once more. His lips twisted into a snarl, his head once more flopping over to the opposite side. Sweat began to glisten over his forehead, his brows knitting together.

“Even now your dear Lightning Childe’s Sage seeks to exert his power. He screams to eradicate the Darkness. You will not allow this. You cannot allow this. Not now, not ever, Necromancer.”[/b]

The images of Lasius and the manifested Sage of Light flashed through Daegan’s mind as the shadows echoed the events unfolding within Armory within Sethia. His face twisted slightly, anger flashing over it for only a brief second. The rest of the braziers in the whole of the Tower flared to life as it burst to life in tiny aqua flames over his entire body.

“Lasius.”

Daegan’s eyes flashed open for a mere second, the Soul Fire well in the antechamber towards the back surging to life, temporarily bathing the chamber completely in aqua light. His form vanished suddenly as the shadows overtook him completely, the Sage ripping Daegan from the Tower of Shadows to Lasius’ chambers within the Sedian High Keep.

There was only a very faint glimmer of Daegan’s outline as the shadows swarmed within the chambers Lasius and Malkate were easing into. The only thing that truly told of his presence was the faintly glowing Soul Fire that seemed to exist where his eyes should have been.

“Lightning Childe! The Shadows keep a wary eye on you. Light and Darkness must co-exist in peace, and I care not what body they reside within! THERE WILL BE ORDER!”[/i]

The shadows boomed out a voice that was much deeper than Daegan’s. Still, the Soul Fire flared with each exclamation, the entire chamber rumbling slightly from the flux from the shadow. There was silence for only a second, the two points of the faint aqua flame flashing one last time before the shadow once more distorted, stretching back to where they had been previously.[/color]

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

Malkate was enjoying the night with Lasius; it was peaceful, there were little interruptions as she’d snuffed away the nagging Sage of the Dark into her mind of course, it would seem, even as she was ready to ease herself into the Bath that an almost eerie sounding Daegan’s voice boomed through the room, causing her teeth to slide across each other as a temper arouse to the top, and with a snap of her newfound power Darkness slithered around her form, covering her like inky tendrils so that her body would not be so openly displayed again; modesty was some thing that might be all too human but Malkate was still who she was inside though the body and parts of her had changed to resonate with her new element. Her eyes flickered to the shadows as agitation filled her; not for the man’s words (balance could be kept, easily, she thought, if shadows stopped snubbing them) but the fact that yet again their time had been interrupted.

She felt lightning crackle at her fingers, and resisting the urge to possibly damage Lasius’ room she looked at the eerie aqua fire that had burned, even though it was no longer visible Malkate was tired of these interruptions; why couldn’t the Sage enjoy his time with his Lady? She wanted to enjoy simply the time with her Lover as he should be with his or perhaps his child. She let the Sage fill her like liquid to a cup, and though there was only a temporary battle as the rush hit her, she ignored it and quite easily pushed the personality back to submit to her own, dominance as easy as a mother to a misbehaving child; and a soft snarl emitted from her lips.

“Balance will be kept; stop seeing Shadows where there are little; to see all know that the only unbalance is the constant interruption of much needed personal time.”

As easy as the Darkness filled her, she let it laugh, rumbling through her head before she shoved it back as easily with the Darkness that covered her, knowing the entity may be gone she started channeling magic through her; world be damned if she messed up the spell as the cage built around the room; only this one was slightly dangerous. If anyone managed to pass Lasius’ drip on the door, they’d find that the existence cage had a bit of a… shock to it. It kept others out and kept them in, but she knew that Lasius could probably just as easily dismember it even without knowledge of the Cage as she left the element there for him if he felt disoriented from it.

Instead, she sighed, reaching up to easefully pull the long strands of her ebony hair up, pulling it into an almost natural knot so only a few strands dangled by her shoulders as she moved to slide into the warm bath, scooting forward only so Lasius could enter. Her violet eyes flickered to him, though not to those steel gray eyes because she was almost afraid to see fear in his eyes from her casual embrace of that Darkness; or perhaps regret for his earlier words. Instead she let her earlier lightheartedness fill her as she reached out a hand to him, letting the steam ease across her chilled skin, enjoying the feel of it as her flesh reddened beneath the warmth, her new flesh feeling oddly tight yet enjoyable as her fingers openly called to him, her lips tugging up into a smile; her earlier anger gone as she felt the joy of simply being in his presence relaxing.

“Now, as we should hopefully have no farther interruptions; Let me see how new this body of yours is, see if Lomes added any other quirks I might find amusing….”

[Lasius]

Lasius head turned in irritation at the manifestation of the Sage of Shadows in his chambers, he was caught off guard by the creatures presence, and made a mental note to speak firmly with Daegan about methods of which he could use to control his Sage. Not for the ten millionth time the idea of eradicating all the Sages and letting nature take its course drifted through his mind, this time however he seriously entertained the Idea. The Sage of Light in his mind cowered farther into the corner trying its best to make itself less noticeable. The uncertainty of whether or not it could die was weighing heavily on the elemental manifestation.

Perhaps for the best his mind was pulled away from such contemplations by Malkate's beckoning once more. He grinned mischievously, and undid the buttons on his shirt, he chuckled slightly as he spoke softly. “You know its only fair that I warn you, Sedian women are known for their fertility, almost as well as for their incredibly intense orgasms.”

He stripped down and slid into the tub with her, it was easily big enough for the both of them with some room to spare, this was after all the chambers for the ruler of the Sedi, and thus wasn't lacking for luxury. He winced slightly as he adjusted to the temperature of the water and then let out a deep sigh as the heat soaked through him relaxing tense muscles.

She returned his grin, hers reaching those violet eyes as her laughter welcomed his comments, and she leaned against the tub, watching him strip with more than a humorous twinkle in her eye before he slid in. She was in the lap of luxury but it could be a wooden holding inside a lake for she cared of it; she’d lived in both riches and woods and she preferred nothing more than the solitude of mind and soul which possibly came with the amount of years she’d seen and fought. Her life lately was chaotic and thus she thoroughly enjoyed the idea now of them finally having times together; though his word created more of the lust that crept up through her. After all, it had been awhile, he had an amazing body, and he was going to be hers again after all these years; could you blame a woman?

She felt herself turning in the tub as he eased in, careful not to splash the water around but enough so she could maneuver without having to make him move until she could crawl up towards him, letting the front of her body press against his without really trying to pull herself away; her violet eyes glittering with laughter and a heat that warmed her skin enough to make the water almost seem as if it were cooling around her. Her lips curved again into a smile as she moved to press a small kiss to the ridge of collarbone before she looked at him, her smile all for him.

“That’s an interesting theory, but I sincerely wonder of the full truth of those statements..”

“Well you'll forgive me if the first couple of performances aren't awe inspiring, after all it has been several centuries... but I'm sure after the 12th or 13th time by mid afternoon tomorrow I'll be back in the swing of things so to speak”

He laughed as he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. His eyes locked with hers for a brief second, something unspoken there in his eyes a joy tinged with a sadness that would never quite fade for all the lost time, before he pulled her body up onto his lap and slipped his arms up over her back and around her shoulders.

“I never imagined that we would be here again. We can't possibly mess this up this time alright love?”[/color]

She laughed at his words of being centuries, for both they’d seen a lot of time and after Sever… she never let anyone touch her. She was a solitary creature but now was not time for those memories at all. She was instead inhaling the scent of him, however new the body there was a kind of scent that went with who he was, and she would memorize it, wear it like beloved cologne. She let him move her, sliding ease fully in the water before she moved to rest her head against his, gently, her eyes closing as her lips played with a smile that wouldn’t fade on its own. Even his last statement couldn’t worry her, she wouldn’t as she reopened them and stared down at him, her fingers moving to curl through his now long hair, fingers idling over the silver spots.

“I don’t see how we could ruin it, not this time; we made our errors in that vast youth we left behind,” Her smile broadened, laughter dancing in her words, “Now we have more of a future than we ever imagined before and after our last mistake, I don’t think we could mess it up. Pesky meddling sages aside… I’m never letting you go again Lasius. I love you.”

[Lasius]

By mid morning the news of Lasius' return had spread through the city like wildfire, Sedi of every element were talking, reactions were of course mixed, but a common theme among them was a sort of acceptance. None of them were going to challenge him for the title and so the orders he issued were rapidly carried out. The military was gathered rapidly, almost 80% of the population served as soldiers when needed, the other 20 percent had professions relating to the essentials of life. Black smiths hammers rang out through the city, carpenters and bakers were also hard at work, feeding the Sedi in the city and repairing the damage done during the multiple assaults. Most Sedi used their elements in almost every aspect of their lives, which made for much more convenient lifestyle, and much stronger and more experienced wielders of the elements.

The Barracks of the city swelled, and soon Sedi filled the training yards practicing skills that never really faded completely from memory, but could use the occasional sharpening. Patrols began moving about through the walls of the city, keeping their eyes out for anything that might be approaching friend or foe. Field commanders were appointed to take care of general governing of the city, a trade center was organized in the north western block of the city, troops and craftsmen began mingling and bartering goods and services. The central blocks of the city housed the Sedian elites, whose intense and rigorous training left little time for anything else. Their ranks swelled as well new recruits seeking the skills of the elite willing to devote their lives feeling that these skills would protect them better from the next catastrophe to befall the race.

In fact that was the common driving theme behind most life in Sethia, preparation for the next disaster. Oddly over the centuries the Sedi had become used to this, many joked and some even looked forward to testing themselves against whatever disaster would eventually befall them. Something different this time about the Sedi was the small band of people gathering by the northern gate. These Sedi were part of a new division of the military, an exploratory division. Their job was to explore the continent and search for any threats to the Sedi, as well as any potential new city sites. With Tre Betal destroyed it was necessary to expand two cities couldn't hold the entire Sedian Nation for long, people would begin families again at some point after all.

In all 20 explorer's were sent out in a variety of directions from the far deserts of the east to the blasted darkened lands of the north, The western coast was the destination for some as well, avoiding the still rupturing wound that was the blistered scar of Tre Betal. Several more went into the mountains searching out mineral deposits, and a few even traveled south, one to Cyrida to give Daegan an update on the situation in Sethia, and two more to the Dryad Wood, to re-initiate trade relations with the Dryads.

It was amazing how quickly the Sedi organized themselves, if they kept this up the Main Hall might even be cleaned out and repaired by the time Lasius woke up. The Dragon on the keep rolled over causing the keep to shutter slightly and let out a massive yawn. Little creatures, when were they going to feed her? If this kept up she might actually have to go hunt...

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

The night was long; but simply not long enough because time was a fickle creature. So many years lost couldn’t be spent catching up in one night; but like all things, everything must come to an end. A kind of peace finally found, Malkate had drifted off to sleep that night without the constant hounding of nightmares or the void of empty emotion that caused a kind of restless sleep. Her mind was flooded instead with images of a more intoxicating nature; the night in which Lasius spent proving some of his earlier theories, and the enjoyment she had at doing the best she could for him. The water had cleaned them and she was grateful for a night without interruption; but even as the traitor sun peeked its head into the sky a kind of semi-awareness overcame her brain as she rolled over, careful so as not to disturb the man sleeping against her in the alien bed they had shared.

Her eyelids parted, opening to reveal the violet gemstones beneath as she watched the peaceful expression as sleep took him in its grip. His salt and pepper hair lay splayed across the pillows, his breaths even and slow. Her hands, not as thin as they one were but still delicate compared to most of the warrior race, slid across the edge of the strands, gently, before tracing down his bare arm, the almost intoxicating offer to return to sleep; yet with the sun and the dawn of the day came old habits of rising and she knew if she slept now that she would bear no good will to anyone later with a temper as sharp as the blades the warriors used. Instead, with uncanny stealth, she slid her feet from beneath the covers, letting the cool of the stone shock her enough to wake her up. Holding onto the sides of the beds coverings with both hands, she closed her eyes as she let her body catch up to the rest of the world; though her recovery was a fast thing.

This entire body was something almost impossible to get used to; impossible to comprehend that only days ago she’d been someone else. Something else. Harder still to think that only mere weeks ago she’d been far from her achieved peace, seeking Death only as a release to this world; something that had this Darkness found her then she could have as easily been consumed as Sitherack had been. Her pity for the man didn’t really grow as she still held him accountable for the actions that had caused his own downfall, but she could understand his point of view a bit more. Great Gods knew she’d never say this aloud; lest the Sage of Shadow’s find the desire to point her out and try and burn her at the stake for simply harboring the Darkness within her. Balance was a fickle creature but Malkate’s views were kind of a twisted thing. To say that Darkness was utter evil was something she couldn’t comprehend, for that would say in balance that Light was a perfect good; and these idea’s were a bit too extreme to flow with what she followed.

Creation, perfect harmony in all living things; be them sentient or not, balance was a call for in everything. So now she had this Darkness and even as she felt it like a vile serpent slithering within her; its malice was nothing more malevolent than the unquenchable thirst that each side held for the other’s demise. Though from Shadow’s perspective, from the side of pure balance between the two it’s only living desire would be something of harmony itself, and after all the things that Lasius, Sitherack and Daegan had gone through, could she blame the Sage? Daegan’s anxiety would probably lie quite in sync with what the Sage was created for and seeing that Darkness infests her he probably found it hard to keep the prejudice leashed. After all, if not for her own life experiences she might not feel so differently from him. The thought brought a queer smirk to her lips, the idea that Daegan as many years as he might seem was still a child in her mind, a man who had much more lessons to learn.

Did that mean she considered herself an elder? No, not in some ways; she wasn’t old or ancient, or even near the end of her lesson called life. No, but she was no longer… innocent. Nothing of that illusion lay left in her heart, even the inkling of pattern in her thoughts. She started out as young and naive as Daegan’s daughter, as knowledgeable as she thought she was as Daegan might. No, she was simply devoid of the things that they almost unconsciously gripped to, but at least, she thought looking at Lasius, some thing she swore that she had lost returned to her. A soft smile, no longer tinged with a kind of bitter irony tugged at her lips as her eyes drifted over him once more before she pushed off the bed and stood. The duel spines enhanced her every movement, and she was completely silhouetted against the wall as she wore nothing but the flesh; unfamiliar muscles slithering beneath the skin like captured snakes.

Moving down towards the edge of the bed she bent to retrieve the black gown she’d managed to get at some point in the night, and slid it over her form, tying off the back with quick, efficient movements. It was odd, going from an almost frail body of a human to this which eased perfection; to have been born like this, it would be amazing if they ever realized the full potential of these bodies compared to that of their lesser. Dragging her fingers through her rumbled hair, she tried to create as much of a clean person that hadn’t been up half the night like some lusty teenager romping in bed before she quietly opened the door, sneaking out of the room to let him slumber in while he could. The outside was a bustle of movement, and she was not as ignorant to the two smirking Elite’s that stood a guard of sorts. Her cheeks flushed a deep red and she moved quickly by them, her head half hanging as her mind ravaged through thought.

She was headed to the kitchens, perhaps to beg some coffee and breakfast from the cook…