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Faux and Kara were nearly at the end of their strange elevator ride when everything turned black and white. Time seemed to halt for just a second and then slowly returned to normal. The elevator lost all magical energy in it and began falling. Kara leaped up and grabbed the ledge above them, swinging Ezekiel’s scythe downwards as Faux, who had been sitting, leaped up reflexively. The rogue clasped onto the handle of the scythe, tightening his grip so he didn’t slide down onto the venomous blade. Kara used all the muscle she could muster to swing the scythe upward, brining Faux closer towards the edge. Faux grasped the ledge and pulled himself up. He quickly bent down to help the slipping Kara. As the two regained their composure after nearly falling to their death, they examined the room. They had just climbed out of a cubical hole in the ground. Two sets of stairs led up to some room directly across the room from them. Everything seemed strangely dull and lifeless due to the lack of color. Kara noted that the light that shone into the room from the high windows had small white orbs floating in its beam. Faux gasped as he reached up to feel his left eye. The wound that had caused him to lose sight in his left eye had always glowed with a green hue and throbbed continuously. He had gotten used to the throbbing over the years he had the wound, but suddenly the throbbing was gone. He ran his finger over the scar, only to find that it was still there, and his sight had not returned.
“A dead zone…” Kara said with amazement. “All magic has been halted, that is why the elevator fell.”
“…and my scar has stop burning…” Faux agreed.
Just then, two figures came tumbling down one of the stairwells, crashing at the bottom. Voyse was quick to his feet and made some distance between himself and Omurai. Another figure came running down the steps, carrying a massive sword.
“W-who…” Kara began to ask, but before the words fully left her mouth, another figure came rolling down the other steps.
Thalys fell at the bottom of the stairs in a heap, grumbling in pain. He quickly rose to his feet and shook his head.
“Thalys! So, you are still alive!” Kara shouted happily.
“Aha, Kara! Good to see that you finally made it here. Where’s Ezekiel?” Thalys asked.
“He’s…dead…” Kara said, lowering her head.
Faux turned his head and frowned. “Died trying to protect us…”
“…o-oh my…” Thalys said slowly, stepping towards his friends.
The three of them stopped as they heard the clashing of metal across the room. They looked over to see Omurai and Voyse swinging swords at each other, Asher jumping in every once and awhile with his full blade.
“Who are they…?” Kara asked.
“I don’t know. They were all fighting in that room ahead when I got here,” Thalys replied. The nobleman approached them all slowly. “Excuse me…Will you all please stop for a moment!?”
Voyse leaped away from Omurai and glanced at Thalys. Omurai turned towards the nobleman as well. Asher ignored Thalys and charged forward, but Omurai halted him with an upraised hand.
“What do you want nobleman..?” Voyse demanded, reaching in his cloak for his last hooked dagger.
“Indeed, sir…we have not the time for conversation,” Omurai stated.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” Thalys asked.
“I am here for the Adept’s Stone, as I’m sure you are too,” Voyse replied.
“We’re here for this man! He’s got a bounty that we’re after,” Asher declared, pointing an accusing finger at Voyse.
“Don’t hold your breath, fire adept. You’re merely an obstacle. Once I dispose of you two I’m getting that artifact!” Voyse snapped, holding his sword up threateningly.
“Hey hey…will you all stop bickering? Look, I am Thalys Ol’Calien of Maeltryst. My two friends back there are Kara Kitsurui and Faux Fo from Rullenfay. We, too, seek the Adept’s Stone. I suspect that man I saw in the room ahead is the one who possesses it?” Thalys said calmly.
“You’re correct…his name is Draven Bladenheart. He’s the one in charge of all this nonsense,” Voyse said.
“So, this Draven is the head of the Bladenheart Army? That’s all the more reason we should slay him! He shall pay for the life of Ezekiel and Garis…” Kara declared, holding up a determined fist.
“What did you say…?!” Omurai demanded, suddenly gaining interest in the conversation. “Do you mean Garis Cord of Altem Tier?”
“Yes…one of Draven’s commanders wiped out hundreds of Cloud City soldiers, including Captain Cord,” Kara replied grimly.
“We disposed of that man…with his own blades,” Faux added, holding up Lyx’s katars.
“…so Garis Cord is dead…” Omurai said breathlessly, unable to believe the words coming out of his own mouth. He closed his eyes and lowered his head. As he looked back up, a spark of life seemed to flicker in his eyes, the look alone promising vengeance. “Ready your blade, Asher…we have a more important target at hand.”
“W-what? What about Voyse?!” Asher asked incredulously.
“Forget him…money is not more important than blood. Hundreds of my people have died this day, one of them a dear friend. I cannot let this heinous crime go unheard! I would understand if you don’t want to help me, for they aren’t your people as well. But as a friend, I’m asking you…” Omurai said, turning to face his fire adept friend.
Asher’s lips formed a thin line as he stared at Omurai. “You’re wrong…You’re like a brother to me. So, if it’s your blood that’s been spread, then it’s mine as well. I shall help!”
Omurai smiled warmly, turning back towards Thalys. “You have yourself a wind and fire adept, then.”
Thalys returned the warm smile and nodded his head. “Thanks, we could use the help. So, what about you?” Thalys asked, turning towards Voyse.
The assassin scanned the entire room, noted the look on everyone’s face. It was clear to him that if he didn’t go along, they’d likely dispose of him. On the other hand…
“Fine…just don’t expect this to clear any grudges,” Voyse said with a smirk.