"The Resurrectio Malefacti isn't just a resurrection of evil, but more than that, Lady Aryun. It's deeply entwined with the Evolve Per Gradus. The Resurrectio is just the name for a rebirth. It can be a rebirth of anything. A thought, idea, feeling, a mind. Anything you could envision."

"So you're saying that if I wish to have wings, I can have wings with this?"

"Almost, Aryun, but what you lack is the necessary evil to pull it off."

"So you've got to be evil?"

"Not quite. You have to have a necessity to 'activate' the Resurrectio, the Fascia, and normally that necessity has been on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak."

"Basically anyone can use it to change the world around them?"

"Yes. That's correct. It would change to reflect the soul of the person evolved, but that evolution comes with a price."

"Early death."

"Indeed, an earlier death for those who've become evolved through the magic. You must watch yourself or else that power will take hold, and corrupt you beyond recognition. The Evolve Per Gradus is just evolution by degrees. You can stop on an evolutionary focus, and stay there for a short amount of time, but it's not long before the body wishes to accelerate and become the perfect form."

"How do you know so much?"

"Let's just say I knew someone who became that perfected creature and I had to kill him." Sorrow laced his musical voice.

"I'm sorry, Erdric."

"There's no need to be. What transpired happened due to the stupidity of men."

"Stupidity?"

"Aye. They murdered someone close to him. Killed her for her tears."

"She was the one who shed the Diamond Tears?"

"Lady Rosa . . . a beautiful, wonderful lady who deserved the finest things in life that he gave her. He, at least, treated her with the utmost respect, adoration and love. He worshiped the ground she walked upon. He loved her like no other could love a woman. When she died, he . . . he fell into the trap of calculated madness. Since humans had murdered his beloved Rosa, then he would murder all humans. It makes sense to me." His voice was tinged with touchable sorrow much deeper than before.

"Aye, Lord Erdric. Indeed it does." There was a pause in the conversation. "I take it, Raygnar doesn't understand this concept of revenging loved ones?"

"No, he does not."

"It's a pity then. Most of the greatest things ever done are done for love."

"Hm?"

"Indeed, Lord Erdric. Fabulous monuments were built in the name of love, and great deeds were done for love, wars were launched for love, and wars won with love."

"But did they last?"

"The monuments still stand, the wars are sung of in legend, and the deeds are recorded for all time."

"As long as their sacrifices are remembered, that is all that matters, correct?"

"Indeed, Lord Erdric."

"Lady Aryun . . ."

"Yes, Lord Erdric?"

"I humbly . . . I ask . . . that you stay here, under this roof with us. I would be honored."

"And I would be honored to stay, Lord Erdric."

"Please, my name is Erdric. I would be pleased if you would call me that."

"I would be honored and pleased if you referred to me as Aryun, Erdric."

A smile graced Erdric's lips as he held out his slender hand.

Aryun smiled back gently, taking the slender one within her own.

"It's a deal!"