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"Even with my defeat, my work is not complete. You only seal me away, but you hold the true threat at bay. Upon the coming of the Second Khy'maer, this world as you know it shall meet its end..."

These are the final words of Flamyra, a being known as the First Khy'maer, a being of unimaginable power who caused an event chronicled as the Celestial Cataclysm on the world of Lo'ryha. 5,000 years later, enter Blaise O'Driscoll, the young captain of the Galactic Union Special Forces unit known as Gryphon Squadron. He was sent to stop a small rebellion... He's about to learn of the destiny he is bound to... the destiny he plans to face and prove wrong...


", "writing": "Chapter 1: Preparations\n\n\tThe doors shut closed, and the halls were dimmed with their insufficient lighting, provided by the flickering ceiling lamps and grime-caked windows. Two figures were standing there against the walls. The one was a slender human in his early 20s with somewhat long, fiery red hair and sunglasses on his face. He was dressed in an open, dark blue jacket and dark red camoflague pants, a plate of body armor under the coat with two shoulderpads, the left one emblazoned with a black griffon with a red “13” in the center of it. He put a finger to his ear and spoke quietly, “Cardinal… This is Crusader-1 and Crusader-2… in position inside the complex. Attempting to proceed to second floor.”\n\n\t replied a female voice over the communicator.\n\n\t“Heh… Don’t count on us disappointing you, Cardinal. I’ll make the shot just fine. Count on it,” said the figure who accompanied the human.... a black leather, trenchcoat-clad Felidarian, one who very much resembled the white tigers of Earth, though with much more humanoid qualities to her and similar in age to her companion. Long, spiky brunette hair ran down the back of her neck, the bangs held up by the goggles on her forehead. She carefully unstrapped her longrifle from her back, fixing her rather strained white tubetop a bit with one of her hands, muttering, “Honestly… you’d think the Union would have learned by now that I need larger tops, Blaise… What’s the big idea?”\n\n\tThe red-haired man looked to the felinoid with a bit of a smirk, unable to help a glance at her rather endowed chest, then back to her, snickering, “Well, Kali, I can guess that Command doesn’t want certain parts of you flying around and slowing you down.” Yet his mind wandered a bit, a light blush forming on his cheeks, (Though… I wouldn’t mind watching them bounce a bit…)\n\n\tKalira (or as Blaise calls her Kali) raised an eyebrow at the blushing Blaise, growling a bit, “Yeah… Bullshit… I see your red face. Get your mind out of the gutter, Blaise. We’ve got work to do…”\n\n\tBlaise put a hand to his mouth and coughed, glancing away, “Y… Yeah… Right.” He moved forward and waved to Kalira, “Come on up… Hear anything in the halls?”\n\n\tThe felinoid gracefully padded against the wall, putting her keen hearing to good use, glancing down left, then right at the T-shaped intersection, “…Hmmm, definitely not alone.” She said that, for off towards the right, a pair of voices speaking in Common could be heard, both male, with a distinctive accent that came right off as Accipiterran. Kalira got down low, tail swishing as she snuck up closer to listen in. The falls of her bare footpaws and hands were completely silent, much like the feral predator she resembled. Once at the corner, she leaned up against the wall, longrifle at the ready as she peeked around slightly from the shadows, seeing a pair of guards standing near double doors to their left.\n\n\t“I can’t understand it. Why would Major Grathtan want to attack the throne of Hau’khaven? I can understand he isn’t that happy about Princess Skylia deciding to have our kind join that Galactic Union, but—” asked a smaller, armored Accipiterran.\n\n\tA much larger, heftier one shook his head, “—But what? That little bitch sold us out. She completely has forgotten about the independence that our people live for!”\n\n\t“But we’ve always coexisted with the Phedarians. What’s the big deal about it?”\n\n\t“There you go with your damn, young-minded ideals, kid! First of all, the Phedarians freak me out, living all secluded and shit in Sol’phedar. We’ve always been better off without them, plus I don’t trust that Union one bit. By joining with it, she threw out the two sacred principles of Accipiterra: Pride and Freedom. Because of her, we’ll be under the command of aliens, not our people. Just you watch!”\n\n\tKalira blinked at the conversation, looking back over to the intersection of the hall where Blaise was and waving him over, whispering, “Did you get that?”\n\n\tBlaise nodded, pulling a baton from his belt and pressing a button down on it, causing both ends to flip open and extend out a long, 3’ curved blade each, double sword to some, swallowblade to others. He nodded, murmuring back, “Yeah… Patriotism gone wrong… Regardless, we can’t let them attack the Monarchy like they plan to. I’ll take the fat ass, Kali… You take the kid.”\n\n\t“Right…”\n\n\t“Ok… On three. One… Two…”\n\nChapter 2: The Lucky 13th Makes Its Move\n\n\t“THREE!” whispered Blaise in a sharp tone as he rushed out into the open view, swallowblade behind him, eyes burning with determination. He thought, (Subtlety, my ass. That’s not my style!)\n\nAlmost instantly, Kalira bent around the corner and took aim with her rifle, firing the silenced weapon at the younger guard, who grabbed his shoulder in pain as the shot made its mark. The result was enough to cause her to hiss in disgust as Blaise’s rush caused her target to jolt in shock and alter the course of her shot.\n\nEyes wide, the plump guard was ready to scream out an alert, but he was a second too late, as Blaise’s weapon thrust forward, right into his wide throat, only allowing him to gurgle out a flood of blood from his beak with silenced gasps. Blaise smirked, “Can’t have you calling your friends, fatty…” Unfortunately for Blaise, the younger guard used the adrenaline gifted unto him through his pain and rushed at the human, slashing his sword. Quickly though, Blaise swung his arm out, catching the blade into his forearm with a noticeable cut in his skin, using his momentum to rip his blade out of the throat of his fallen target and cleaving off the other guard’s head with a wide, single slash, splashing the Captain with quite a bit of blood. Almost like a chicken, the birdman’s body staggered around, arms flailing, legs wobbling for a few short moments until it collapsed. Angrily, Blaise held at the cut on his arm, “Ok… that’s it. Getting cut by one of these feathered freaks just put my bad mood up to a new level…”\n\nKalira winced just a bit at all the blood all over Blaise’s front, “…Blaise? What’re you thinking of doing?”\n\n“I’m going to kick all their asses. That’s what.”\n\n“What about being discreet?”\n\n“Pfft… Being discreet’s for pussies. Besides, Kali… I think we should have some fun now.”\n\n“Blaise, what’s so fun about an assassination?”\n\n“What’s fun about them? Because you can do stuff like this!”\n\n“Oh no, Blai—“ \n\nWith a wild rush for the door, Blaise leapt into the air and dropkicked through it with his momentum. Needless to say, his actions got attention rather quickly, as he found four guards in a large room… Two right in front of him, and another pair some distance away by some doors to his right, at the north end of the room, the quartet completely bewildered by the gung-ho display. Kalira growled and shook her head, lifting her firearm, “Damn it, Blaise. You always have to show off, don’t you?!” With the pull of the trigger, the back of the first guard’s helmet shattered open as the back of his brains blew out from the rifle’s shot, and before the one behind him could do anything, he was felled by a leaping kick to the face and subsequent impalation through his chest by Blaise’s swallowblade. Blaise ripped his blade out of the fallen guard’s chest and spun around to face the other two guards who were charging at the pair… One each for both of them. Blaise gritted his teeth and roared with a charge of his own at his opponent and a mean left hook, but his blow was well telegraphed and dodged, which lead to a hard kick by the guard’s talon into his abdomen, forcing the Captain to stagger back with a grunt. As Kalira was about to deal with her own opponent, a loud crash was heard behind him as the other door leading in from the opposite end of the hall smashed open with a hard kick with two more guards… more than likely the other pair heard when the first entered. Three against one? Hardly fair odds, but then again, this was the Lucky 13th. They were trained to deal with high-risk situations.\n\nKalira glanced behind her to see the two coming in, only to look back at her previous foe who started to rush at her with a wide slash with his short sword. The Felidari ranger was a swift and acrobatic woman, even with her bountiful curves, whipping up into a backwards flipkick. Her foot smacked hard into the guard’s swordhand, expertly kicking the blade upward and impaling it through the room’s ceiling! Mid-flip, Kalira switched off a special safety on the grip of her rifle, taking aim in an aerial, inverted position and firing at the two entering guards who remained from the entrance hall. The beam of the shot split mid-flight into a V-spread pattern, one each going right between the eyes of both, causing them to drop dead right on the spot. Upon landing on her feet and a hand, Kalira grinned… shaking her head at her disarmed foe, then glanced over to see Blaise spinning around and slashing across his opponents stomach, the armored avian’s guts spilling out before he slumped over lifeless. Upon seeing this, the disarmed guard yelped and stammered, turning tail and running for the doors to the north, jiggling at the handle in panic to try and escape from the superior Union operatives.\n\nBlaise was having none of it though, screaming in rage as he gave a rush at the hapless, fleeing guard, “Get back here, you feathered piece of shit!” The Captain was like a charging jousting knight… without the horse, with his swallowblade lowered. It wasn’t long before Blaise’s blade slid through the back of the remaining Accipiterran and out his stomach with a wet *SHNNNNNNNNK*, and with Blaise’s speed, the doors crashed down with a thundering slam. The result was an Accipterran guard sandwich, the dead victim the beef patty… the door and Blaise the buns, complete with a swallowblade cocktail toothpick! Before Blaise could do anything else though, he heard a chirp of sudden shock from above him. He glanced up, finding himself in a stairwell leading up to the next floor, with a rather alarmed guard looking down at him, somewhat frozen in indecisiveness on what to do… Makes sense, really, considering he just saw a door smash out of its hinges with a rather agitated intruder impaling an ex-colleague of his with his weapon. Before the guard could react to Blaise’s less than elegant entrance into the stairwell, Kalira lifted her longrifle up and shot him twice, both beams ripping through the guard’s right knee, blowing the leg off from the knee down. Swiftly, Blaise rushed up the stairs to the agonized guard and finished him off with a thrust through his chest. “Phew! Well that was fun! Wasn’t it, Kal—“\n\nWith a hiss, Kalira was right behind him, smacking Blaise upside the back of his head and narrowing her eyes, “You stupid ass! Do you always have to be so reckless?”\n\nBlaise acked, rubbing his head from the scolding and the blow from his compatriot, “You know me all too well, Kali… I’m good at making things more exciting. Besides, did you really think we would’ve been able to pull out each guard one by one from that room?”\n\nKalira sighed, starting to pad up the stairs past Blaise for the second floor door, “Point taken, but you turned a fight with four guards into six with all the racket you caused smashing through that door.” She looked back to him and shook her head, “It’s surprising that you haven’t alerted Major Grathtan to us being in here. With an attitude like that, I don’t know how you’ve been given a commission of Captain, Blaise. We think things out carefully, not just go and throw everything to the wind.”\n\nBlaise looked down as he started to follow her up, “Okay, okay… I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more careful, ok?”\n\nKalira smiled a bit, patting him on the shoulder, “Look, you know me, Blaise. You’re the last person I want to see getting hurt… or worse. I mean well with my scolding, even if you -are- a higher rank than me.”\n\nBlaise chuckled lightly, rolling his eyes, “I know. You’re lucky I’m not some tight-assed, rank-flaunting officer like some other people.”\n\nA giggle left the Felidari’s lips, “Don’t have to remind me about that… So how about we try to do the rest of this a bit more quietly, hmm?”\n\n“Ok, sure… We’ll do it your way, this time, Kali…”\n\nShe put out a pinky finger and went eye to eye with him , “Promise?”\n\nBlaise just stared at her in shock, “…You can’t be serious. You’re making me take a pinky swear on it?”\n\nKalira smirked with a purr, putting her pinky out further at him, “If you don’t, I just might have to tell father about your reckless tirade a few minutes ago.”\n\nBlaise muttered, locking his pinky with hers and looking away from her at the door leading to the second floor hall, “Yeah… I know how harsh Uncle Leo can be with his discipline. Ok, I promise… Really…” Blaise recalled all the years he lived with Kalira and her parents, Leonis and Adela… his “uncle” and “aunt” due to his father’s close ties with her father, Drake O’Driscoll. Blaise never really grew out of his terrible twos, constantly being a magnet for trouble... usually through his own choice. With all the trouble he caused, Uncle Leo would punish in dividends, most often with a lengthly grounding. Granted, that was when he was a child and teenager. Now, “Uncle Leo” was Colonel Leonis Rasaris, Blaise and Kalira’s executive officer, so any publicized discipline problem wouldn’t lead to punishment for Blaise, it’d be a heavy blemish on their famed unit, the Lucky 13th.\n\nKalira just smiled to him, opening the door to the hall slowly and peeking out. The coast was clear. As she entered, she readied her rifle and waved Blaise to follow her in. The pair moved down the 30 foot stretch, keeping low enough to avoid being too noticeable in any windows along the way. As the hall turned left, she peeked around, spotting the latest pair of rebel guards, quietly paying no mind to their jobs and just loitering around. Carefully, Kalira raised the scope of her rifle to her eye, focusing right in on the head of the guard on the right. With a pull of the trigger, Kalira easily felled him with a headshot through the side. Jumping at the sudden development, his friend hurried over and stooped down to see if he was ok, as worthless as it was, “H… huh? Lothur? Lothur?! What happened, Lo—“ Even before he could react in defense, the last thing the other guard saw was Blaise rushing at high speed for him and a swallowblade swinging right for his jugular. With them out of the way, Blaise and Kalira continued down the hall, taking the right turn along the way and come up upon a door on the right wall, in which a distinctive voice could be heard within.\n\nBlaise narrowed his eyes, putting his hand on the handle of the door, murmuring, “…This is it, Kali. You ready for this?”\n\nKalira nodded. With that, Blaise quietly opened the door and peeked inside, seeing a lone guard looking out a window in the east wall.\n\nChapter 3: If At First You Don’t Succeed…\n\n\tBlaise crept into the room undetected, lashing out to grab the sentry by the back of his neck, “Hey… Enjoying the view, birdie?” Before his victim could tell out for help, Blaise lashed him out of view from the window and pressed him up against the wall with his swallowblade thrusting up into his chest, giving it a good twist before pulling it out and letting him slump down into eternal rest. With the chance open, Kalira moved up to the window and knelt down, setting her longrifle up for her most important shot of the day. She could see a large Accipiterran who resembled a harpy eagle, white and gray with dashes of black in his feathers, moving his arms quite energetically as he seemed to be speaking to four other rebel troops with him.\n\n\t\n\n\t“We will not take the Princess’s transgression on our sacred beliefs! We shall stand up against her and force her to push back the encroachment of the Galactic Union. And if she doesn’t, we’ll make sure that she and all of her supporters will paid with their lives. We’ll even make sure that the wild creatures of this world shall turn against her! Glory to Accipiterra!”\n\n\tThe four guards with him pumped their arms up with a loud roar of approval in their leader’s speech, but Kalira narrowed her eyes as she continued to try and steady her strangely shaking handpaws, “…The hell is this weirdo talking about? Turn wild creatures against people?”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, taking note of the shaking handpaws of the Felidari ranger, “…You’re shaking, Kali… This isn’t like you.” Kalira? Nervous on a sniping mission, at the worst time possible? Well that just made things more interesting.\n\n\tKalira growled quietly, “I’m… I’m fine.” Her sight trembled with her shaking, causing her difficulty to grab a good lock on Major Grathtan’s head.\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “Come on, Kali… Pull yourself together…”\n\n\tShe growled again, not saying a word and taking a deep breath… pulling the trigger. The pulse beam of her rifle zipped right towards the leader, and just barely missed him over the head… the shot even missing his large wings. Kalira hissed and ducked down with a shake of her head, “DAMNIT!”\n\n\tThe team’s communicator buzzed in quickly, \n\n\tKalira sat against the wall, panting with her eyes closed, continually muttering a chain of “damnits” to herself, Blaise answering with a straight face, “This is Crusader 1, Cardinal… Situation’s normal. Just a bit of pre-assassination-shot jitters.”\n\n\t<…Acknowledged. You have your orders, Crusader Team,> noted the communicator before cutting off.\n\n\tBlaise sighed, then looked to Kalira, putting a hand on her shoulder, “Kali, snap out of it. Where did all that confidence go?”\n\n\tKalira looked up to Blaise and shook lightly, “We need to get out of here… I just missed the shot, Blaise. Why did you lie to Command that I missed? Why?!”\n\n\tBlaise looked out the window quickly, and surprisingly… Nothing seemed to change with Grathtan and his four cronies. Grathtan stood there smug as ever, watching the others continue to cheer his rally on. Did he not even notice the missed shot? Blaise then looked back to Kalira, thumbing towards the open window, “Doesn’t look like your first shot counted… considering Birdbrain’s less than keen perception. Try again. I know you can do this, Kali… Come on…”\n\n\tKalira looked back out, taking note of the situation, then nodded to Blaise, “O… Okay…” Once again, she set up her longrifle with a deep breath to calm her nerves, eye going to her scope once more. (Come on, Kalira… You’ve done this before in simulators with perfect grades. Why are you having so much trouble now?) she thought to herself while she concentrated. (Close everything out around you, girl… You can make this.) And close things off, she did… She put all her focus on the back of Grathtan’s head, her grip calming, all nervousness bleeding out from her psyche, (There we go… Just you and him, Kalira. Show him how good of a shot you really are…) The tigress was silent.\n\n\tBlaise blinked, “…Kali? Come on… We don’t have all day you know.”\n\n\tKalira either wasn’t listening or just didn’t hear Blaise in her little world though. Feeling confident with her steady aim, she moved to pull the trigger, but then… of all things, a sparrow fluttered by her scope, causing her to barely jolt in her aim. Such an unfortunate turn of events, as the slight movement shifted the path of her shot from Grathtan’s skull into his right shoulder, causing the rebel leader to screech in pain and the others with him to go into full alert with drawn weapons! This time, the failure brought severe consequences. The voice of Grathtan could be heard screeching in adrenaline-fueled rage, most likely into a radio he had on him, considering Blaise and Kalira heard an echo of the call coming from the dead guard in the room.\n\n\tKalira hissed in disgust with her second miss, getting up and starting to bolt out of the room, “I can’t believe it… If I ever find that damn bird that zipped by my scope, I’ll shaft it onto a kabob!”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, following suit in Kalira’s escape, “Good luck with that…” He then tapped the communicator on his ear, “Cardinal, this is Crusader 1… Mission’s a failure. I repeat. Mission failed.”\n\n\t\n\n\tBlaise and Kalira had no opposition running the way they came, hearing the voices of Grathtan and his cohorts on the radios of the dead in the dim-lighted complex.\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\t<…Those bastards went through the storehouse and shot from there! Hurry! We’ll cut them off before they can escape!>\n\n\tRushing down the said, Blaise snatched up one of the radios from a dead guard, bringing it up to his mouth, “My, my, my… Aren’t we the perceptive one, Featherduster? So perceptive that you didn’t notice a rifle shot zip over your head…” The comment made Kalira look to Blaise rather incredulously as they continued to make their escape.\n\n\t<…Who is this?>\n\n\t“Oh, just the cleaning crew, and I have to say we did quite the mop-up job with everyone in your base.”\n\n\t\n\n\t“What are you? Deaf? I said everyone… Let me think… Two… Eight… Twelve… Yeah… Twelve guys dead sounds just about right… and that’s not counting the eight or so we killed sneaking into the building.”\n\n\t\n\n\t“If I’m lying, then I wouldn’t be telling the truth when I say you’re going to get your wings clipped off before we take you out.”\n\n\t\n\n\t“Just the way I like it, Fluffy,” replied Blaise. By then, he and Kalira made it to the front doors and threw them open in force, coming out into a courtyard with a large tent in the center of it, with the front gates about fifty yards to the south of the tent. No sooner than they came out of the building, Grathtan and his four comrades tore around the side, weapons drawn. Needless to say, the harpy eagle Accipiterran was seething, even more so once his eyes locked on the pair of intruders.\n\n\t“KILL THEM!!!” thundered the rebel leader. Morale was high only for a short moment for the five, when a sudden sound of rushing air was heard… a blurring winged figure barely seen heading for Grathtan. With the wet, tearing sound of feathered flesh in duet with a blood-curdling screech of agony, the left wing of Grathtan fell off of his back in a spray of blood as the figure made itself known… a slender, male, bald eagle-like Accipiterran in red-dyed leather armor, armed with a very long two-handed katana was knelt in front of the rebel leader. It would appear that his blade made quite the clean cut on Grathtan’s wing, clipping it clean off, with Blaise and Kalira staring in disbelief. \n\nBlaise couldn’t help but comment with a smirk and shake of his head, tossing the radio he had over his shoulder, “Looks like I was half right.” \n\nGrathtan’s screaming silenced quickly as Kalira raised her rifle and fired, putting a shot right between the leader’s eyes, growling loudly, “…Third time’s a charm, asshole.” She then glanced over to Blaise, who was already rushing at two of the remaining rebels, “Blaise! Orders on the butcher who just helped cut down Grathtan?”\n\nBlaise spun around and hacked his swallowblade hard into one of the fear-stricken entourage members, “Hold your fire on him! Friend or foe, he -did- take Grathtan out. We’ll question him later!”\n\nKalira nodded, then looked back towards the katana-wielding Accipiterran, only to see him rush at another guard, pivoting and spinning around on a foot talon and screeching in rage as he swung down his mighty blade in a vertical slash, “May Solravis have mercy on you, sinner!” The blade slid through its target like a hot knife through butter, from the top of the head to the bottom of the groin, a look of terror on his face before he fell to his knees, the impact causing the unfortunate Accipiterran guard to peel open from top to bottom with a wet sound and into two split halves with quite a lot of red liquid and organs spilling out all over the place. The grotesque slaughter was enough to make Kalira wretch and cover her muzzle, feeling like she could vomit from the horrible visage caused by the mystery fighter’s expert swordsmanship. It didn’t bode well for the rebel nearby either, who instantly emptied his bladder in his pants in pure fear and cried in fright as he dropped his weapon and ran to hide behind the tent, but Kalira shook her disgust off quickly, and rushed to cut him off. \n\nWithin seconds, he ran into her path and put his hands up, “I surren—“ only to get a shot from Kalira’s rifle into his knee, cutting his plea off and causing him to turn tail and start hobbling away as quickly as he could for safety. No dice for him though, as Blaise cleaved down the other opponent he took on alone, and turned to see his escape. So, too, did the red-armored avian, his eyes narrowing with fierceness. The pair started to rush for him, and once again, the remaining rebel put his hands up, dropping to his knees, “I… I surrender! Please don—“ his voice cutting off in death when Kalira took a shot from behind through his head. The entire complex was deathly silent…\n\nBlaise sighed, retracting the blades on his swallowblade and reclipped it back to his belt, ruffling his moppy red hair with his hands, then glaring right at the katana-wielding avian, pointing a finger right at him, “You… Who the hell are you, and why are you here? Civilians shouldn’t be out playing hero!”\n\nThe avian narrowed his eyes, sheathing his katana on his back, “I’m no civilian, sir…”\n\nBlaise crossed his arms over his chest, “Then just who are you?”\n\n“I am Maximar Ki’lores, Solra’vir Initiate of the Order of Serathia. I’ve been dispatched to fi—“\n\nBlaise raised an eyebrow and cut off Maximar, putting his hands up, “Whoa whoa whoa… How about you speak in a tongue we can both understand?”\n\nKalira sighed, stepping forward with a facepalm, “And you wonder why you barely got a passing grade in Interracial Culture and Etiquette, Blaise…” She looked over to Blaise with a slightly annoyed face, “The Order of Serathia is the last remaining order of the Solra’vir to date. They are an organization of knighthood who serves as the protectors of Accipiterran-Phedarian interests and their deity’s wrathful hand upon those who threaten the innocent.”\n\nThe felinoid’s explanation made Maximar blink, but smile lightly, “…You seem to know well about us then.”\n\nKalira looked to the avian and giggled, shrugging, “Nah… That’s really all I know about your order. I know there’s a lot of mysterious lore behind it still. I only stated what I knew.”\n\nBlaise rolled his eyes, muttering to himself, “Know-it-all…” He then looked at Maximar quietly, crossing his arms again, eventually saying, “…So you came here to stop Grathtan too then, and alone to boot. Nice of you to make such an entrance at the last, best second. Glory hound, much?”\n\n“I didn’t seek glory at all… only the safety of those threatened by traitors!”\n\nBlaise got right up into Maximar’s beak, only to get pushed aside by Kalira before he could snap back. She sighed, “Don’t you find it a bit unusual though… that one of the most honored and trusted officers under Princess Skylia would just turn against his leader at the snap of the finger? Hardly, I can’t imagine that he wanted to do what he did, all because she unified with the Union to build relations and the safety of everyone on Accipiterra.”\n\nMaximar tilted his head to the feline, “You’re definitely of a sounder mind than your human friend over there… But yes, I agree that his turning was rather sudden and over something rather trivial.” He looked between the human and Felidari, then offered a handtalon, “So what are your names?”\n\nKalira took the talon into her paw and shook it, smiling, “I’m Lieutenant Kalira Rasaris…” He then looked back at a somewhat agitated-looking Blaise, “And that’s my Captain, Blaise O’Driscoll. Both active members of the 13th Squadron… A.K.A. The Lucky 13th, Gryphon Squadron.”\n\n“…Gryphon Squadron? O’Driscoll?” inquired Maximar, only to get cut off by the sound of shrieking jet engines. He, along with Blaise and Kalira looked up, seeing a Lynx-class bomber soaring rapidly for the complex.\n\nKalira stared in shock at the approaching bomber, “…What in the world…?” That shock turned to fear when she saw the ordinance bays opening and two missiles launching right for the complex!\n\nBlaise was quick to react, “DIVE FOR COVER!!!” and the others were quick to follow. The three threw themselves into some bushes to the side, but little did they know that they were jumping right now a rather steep incline instead of solid level ground as the complex exploded in a huge fireball behind them. The plummet wasn’t as hard for Maximar though, as he reacted quickly enough to open his wings to glide down, managing to even grasp Kalira’s wrist with one of his foot talons. Blaise wasn’t so lucky on the other hand, forced to tumble down rapidly downward, eventually landing face and belly first into a large puddle of mud below! The display had Kalira unable to help a slight giggle, and Maximar, a bit of a smirk. \n\nBy the time Kalira landed softly with the aid of Maximar, Blaise pulled himself out of the mud, muttering and mad as a hornet, “Son of a bitch…” He tapped his ear communicator, “COMMAND!! Who the hell ordered that airstrike?!”\n\n\n\n“I think you would know SOMETHING about it…”\n\n\n\n“I doubt the Accipiterran rebels we dealt with had access to a Lynx, let alone any reason to bomb their own hideout!”\n\n<…We’ll look into it. Are you injured?>\n\n“Nothing except my hygiene, jumping down a steep hill and falling face first into a puddle of muck… and by the way, Grathtan and all his troops are dead. Ran into him during Kalira and I were running out. Had a bit of help from this Maximar Ki’lores guy.”\n\n\n\nBlaise eyed the tall avian, then nodded, “…He is.”\n\n With that, the communicator cut off.\n\nBlaise wiped at the mud on his face and sighed, looking to Kalira and Maximar, who both couldn’t keep a straight face, “Oh, just let it out already… We have new orders though, Kali… We need to move through to the north, through this Taelyn Pass that we’re in now, and meet up at the original extraction point… and we’re supposed to bring Max along with us for the report.”\n\nThe katana-wielding Accipiterran raised an eyebrow, “…My name is Maximar.”\n\nBlaise scoffed and shrugged, “Maximar… Max… Makes no difference to me. Let’s get a move on before they decide to leave without us.”\n\nWith that, the trio started to make their move through Taelyn Pass, though the uncalled airstrike continually stabbed Blaise in the back of his mind… Who was behind it?\n\nChapter 4: Taelyn Pass \n\n\tFor about five minutes, the trek through Taelyn Pass was quiet… Occasionally though, Blaise was silently shooting dirty, angry looks at Maximar, thinking things to himself… (I don’t trust this guy… We’re out here, fighting Accipiterran thugs planning to overthrow the monarchy’s leader… and then he comes to show off and pretty much finish off Grathtan for us. Who does he think he is?)\n\n\tMaximar finally caught those glances directed at him, raising an eyebrow, “…Can I help you, Captain?”\n\n\tBlaise stopped walking then turned to face their new companion, “I think you can, Max…”\n\n\t“…My name’s Maximar.”\n\n\t“Whatever you say, Max.” Blaise’s insistence made Kalira roll her eyes, but Maximar seemed to pass off the transgression as the Captain continued, “Were you out here on orders, or were you just out here on your own little reckless crusade?”\n\n\tMaximar narrowed his eyes a bit, “…First of all, the Solra’vir do not act out missions without reason.” He then shook his head, looking back along the path they travelled so far, “Second of all, my main mission here was to keep Grathtan from spreading some sort of toxin into the wilderness here… or so I was told. Grathtan got in the way, and then… that airstrike from your people destroying the complex happened.”\n\n\tKalira tilted her head, “…A toxin, you say? What kind of toxin?”\n\n\tMaximar shrugged, “I have no clue. We’ve had no information on what it could be.”\n\n\t“Sounds like a load of baloney to me… Kalira and I didn’t see any kind of containers with biohazard markings during our little run-through of the complex,” scoffed Blaise.\n\n\tKalira eyed Blaise, “That’s true, but at the same time, don’t you remember what Grathtan was saying before I tried to snipe him?” Maximar blinked when hearing the Felidari ranger say this, then looked to Blaise.\n\n\tBlaise hmmmed, crossing his arms and looking down, “Something about letting wild creatures loose all around the world…? What’s that got to do with anything?”\n\n\tKalira frowned at Blaise, “Think, hothead… What if this toxin that Maximar’s talking about had something to do with infecting wildlife?”\n\n\tBlaise threw his arms up and rolled his eyes, “Oh -c’mon-, Kali! You’re going to believe Bird Boy’s toxin tale?! We completed what we had to do, and that was kill Grathtan… and here you are, thinking there’s still something deeper to all of this!”\n\n\tMaximar screed lowly at Blaise, “Then how do you explain that ‘misplaced’ airstrike that you weren’t expecting?”\n\n\tKalira nodded, eyeing Blaise, “Maximar’s got a point. Command even said that they never ordered that airstrike at all, so something’s definitely fishy here.”\n\n\tBlaise sighed, rubbing his head a bit, “…Yeah, I guess you’re right. I still can’t buy the toxin bit though, just because we didn’t see any evidence of that.”\n\n\tMaximar looked to Blaise, “Look, Captain O’Driscoll… I’m not an enemy. If anything, I want to be a friend… It’s just you were fast to start accusing me.”\n\n\tKalira nodded, looking to Maximar, “Don’t worry about it, Maximar. Blaise means well. It’s just he’s had a complicated life.”\n\n\tMaximar blinked, “Complicated?”\n\n\tBlaise glared at Kalira, “Let’s not start with this… We need to hurry up and try to make it out of this place before nightfall.” No quicker than that, he started to walk away from them briskly.\n\n\tMaximar blinked again, watching Blaise move ahead, then looked to Kalira, “…I don’t understand, Lieutenant Rasaris.”\n\n\tKalira patted the Accipiterran on the shoulder, “We’ll talk later, alone… It’s a bit of a sensitive issue with Blaise.” She started to pad along after Blaise.\n\n\tThe avian started to follow, “…Very well, Lieutenant.”\n\n\tKalira stopped and turned around and sighed, poking him on the tip of his beak with a finger with a warm smile and look into his eyes, “And for the record, Maximar? Just call me Kalira or Kali… I’m not so haughty to demand you calling me by rank, and neither is Blaise.”\n\n\tThe poke on the beak took Maximar off guard, “But… that would be disrespectful…?”\n\n\tThe Felidari smirked, “Pffft… Hardly, big guy. Just take it easy, ok? Let’s go before Blaise starts to bitch and moan that we’re lagging behind.”\n\n\tThat managed to make the Accipiterran smile a bit, “Ok, Kalira.”\n\n\tNot long after that, Blaise could be heard calling as he started to come back, “Kali, let’s go… Quit making out with Max and move!”\n\n\tKalira sighed, “Coming! Coming!” and giggled a bit, looking at a facepalming Maximar, “You’ll grow to love him, Maximar. He’s not so bad…”\n\n\t“…I’ll take your word for it. He’s interesting, to say the least, if not a little ill-mannered, heh…”\n\n\tEven with their progress through the valley, they still had a long way to go, and they weren’t going to make it to the extraction point before nightfall. Blaise tapped his communicator and sighed, “Command? Please respond…”\n\n\t\n\n\t“I don’t think that we’re going to make it out of the pass by nightfall. Kalira and I are going to have to set up camp and continue on at sunrise.”\n\n\t<…Very well. We’ll let the extraction team know about that. You should be fine in the pass overnight though. Not many known predators in the area, and even then, they tend to leave humanoids alone. Let us know if you need anything. Command out.>\n\n\tBlaise looked back to the others, “We’re going to set up camp for the night and continue on in the morning.”\n\n\tThe other two nodded in agreement.\n\n\tBlaise, Maximar, and Kalira were around a small campfire made in short time and strange at it seemed, the air was very quiet… similar to the moment when the complex was bombed, and it made the trio start to glance around. Kalira frowned as she sat up against a tree, “I don’t like this… Not even the crickets are chirping.”\n\n\tMaximar peered around a bit himself, “…That is rather unusual, yes.”\n\n\tAlmost to worsen their hunches that something was up, the sound of a bellowing howl was heard in the moonlit pass, followed by the sound of paws… many paws.\n\n\tThe three quickly shot up, drawing their weapons, Blaise narrowing his eyes, “Leave humanoids alone, my ass… I think we’ve got trouble!”\n\nChapter 5: Wolfpack Attack\n\nThe sound of the falling paws was rapid and getting closer… The trio grew more on edge and readied their weapons. Kalira raised her longrifle and looked to Blaise, “…Orders, Blaise?”\n\nFrom the shadows of the trees in front of them, a pair of wolves came rushing out and straight for the party. Immediately, Blaise looked right back to Kalira, “Shoot to kill, Kalira… Semi-automatic sounds good. I doubt this wildlife is as friendly as reported…” He then looked over to Maximar, who was already counter-charging at the wolves, “Max…? Huh, I guess he doesn’t think too much before he acts… Whatever!” Blaise started to rush at the incoming lupines as well. There was no way he was going to let their new feathered compatriot take all the glory. No way in hell…\n\n\tOne of the wolves leapt at Maximar, but it was almost as if the Accipiterran read his foe’s movement. With a swift snap kick upward with his foot talon, the wolf was knocked out of its jump and Maximar cut his katana true into the side of the airborne beast. The slash only seemed to nick the creature though, and its agility seemed to be quite comparable to a cat, rolling through the air and landing on its paws in perfect balance! The spectacle caused three raised eyebrows to occur from the party, the three of them very surprised. The avian shook his head, “My blade should’ve sliced right through that wolf! How—“\n\n\tKalira kept back while her male allies ran ahead, leveling her rifle and firing off a twin volley of short bursts from her firearm at the second incoming wolf as Blaise rushed it. The first few shots missed and spattered dust up from the ground as the wolf skipped sideways, but the others managed to tag it in the side, leaving the Captain to leap up in a twist, “You just didn’t cut in hard enough, Max!” With a wide, downward slice, Blaise cut across the back of the wolf’s neck… a cut that should’ve been a killing blow, but like Maximar’s strike… the results were less than satisfactory! “…Ok, Max. Forget what I said. I see what you mean…” Blaise’s angered opponent snarled at the pain induced on it and snapped at him, an attack that proved ineffective as he skipped back out of the way.\n\n\tBlaise tapped his chest-communicator as he thrust his swallowblade at his foe, “Command!! This is Gryphon Squadron!! We are under attack by wolves at our camp!” The stab barely nicked across the nose of the wolf as it jumped back from the attack.\n\n\t The communicator on the other end sounded quite incredulous.\n\n\t“What? Did I fucking stutter?! WOLVES! Wolves that think they’re like damned battle tanks!! We need support NOW!!”\n\n\t voiced the communicator as Maximar cut a wide slash into not just his wolf, but Blaise’s as well with his momentum. The first wolf seemed to be quite wounded this time with the strike, and its pain made its retaliation strike with a claw miss Maximar very easily. While the second wolf could dodge both Maximar and Blaise’s dual onslaught, they couldn’t dodge Kalira’s as she ran to its left flank and unload six rapid blasts from her rifle through the side of its body, felling it in a pool of blood.\n\n\tBlaise shook his head as he jumped down and thrust toward Maximar’s opponent in the flank, “They better be fast about it!” Reaction time was critical though, and the wolf moved enough to only get grazed by the edge of his weapon. With another duck, Maximar’s swing for the wolf went well over its head. Dodging all the attacks was wearing down on the wolf’s stamina though, as Kalira rushed towards the lupine with her longrifle blazing with rapid fire, making short work of it and making it drop with not much of a muzzle left on its face anymore, replaced with shredded, red flesh and jagged bone.\n\n\tMaximar huffed and shook his head, “Wolves… shouldn’t be this much trouble to slay…”\n\n\tBlaise looked to Maximar, huffing a bit himself, “Yeah… You think? I really hope those were it…”\n\n\tMuch to the dismay of Blaise’s hopeful plea to the group, more howling could be heard in the distance… more rushing paws getting closer to them. Kalira sighed, “You should know that there’re more than two wolves in a pack, guys… Get ready! It sounds like they’re flanking us!” Kalira was right, as two wolves came rushing in from the north and another two started running in from the south!\n\n\t“Ah, fuck this shit… I really hope the animal activists don’t find out about this…” muttered Blaise. Maximar and Kalira could only roll their eyes at the Captain’s remark as Blaise started to rush up at the northern duo, lashing out his swallowblade against one of the wolves and only managing a graze against its back due to its swift dodging.\n\n\tMaximar was quick to run up beside Blaise to let loose a grand swing into both of the north flank wolves, missing one and grazing the other in front of Blaise, “Blaise… we’re going to have to work together if we’re going to get out of this alive.\n\n\tBlaise growled as both he and Maximar dodged the retaliatory attacks of their opponents, “Tell me something I don’t know!!”\n\n\tKalira sighed to herself as she spun around to face the two wolves charging in from the south, Even with her deep thoughts, Kalira raised her rifle again and fired off a rapid hailstorm of blasts into one of the wolves, quickly turning it into the proverbial swiss cheese…. Something that angered the other wolf beside it, instigating the beast to try its own rush for Kalira!\n\n\tMaximar continued his wide swings at the wolves that he and Blaise were dealing with… his primary quarry ducking under the slash, but Blaise’s wolf getting tagged lightly again by the Accipiterran’s no-dachi. Blaise was not having much luck either as his swallowblade’s slash completely missed his lupine opponent. At least the pair was prepared again for the constant retaliation of the wolves they were dealing with. Max shifted to the side to dodge a lunging swipe of a claw while Blaise pushed forward with his weapon to block a bite with his handle, shoving the predator away and off his weapon. Kalira continued to show her expertise with her longrifle, spraying more gunfire at her approaching enemy, tagging it with about half for some moderate damage into its side, but the pain wasn’t enough to stop the wolf’s charge. With a great leap with open jaws for the Felidari’s throat, but Kalira wasn’t letting the potentially fatal blow land. With a swift spin and swing of her firearm, she knocked the lupine out of the air and back onto the ground. With a tiny downward readjustment of her aim, Kalira ended the wolf’s existence with another storm of longrifle blasts to the back of its body. \n\n\tMaximar screeched with another big swing of his blade, “Fall before my blade, mongrel!” Finally, Maximar slashed hard into the right side of the wolf he’s been dealing with for the last few moments, causing it to bellow out a yelp of pain. The force of the slash even made the stricken wolf slam into its pack mate rather hard. The impact was enough to disorient it, and the pain of the former caused quite a bit of favoring to its injuries. Blaise tried to finish off his newly dazed target with a downward thrust, but somehow the wolf slipped away from the attack. Kalira turned around and started to run in to help out Blaise and Maximar’s plight, only to see Maximar take another hard swing with his blade and cut the horribly pained wolf in half. Kalira, in turn, tried to finish off Blaise’s wolf with some gunfire from her longrifle, but only managed to wound it. Surprisingly, seeing the loss of its pack mates, it turned tail and started to limp away with sharp whimpering. Blaise muttered, “Leave it… that furball won’t bother us any time soon…” He looked around to Max and Kalira with a tired smirk, “So, how about that rest n—?”\n\n\tBlaise’s question was short-lived as some more howls thundered in the distance. The Captain stomped the ground with a scream, “Son of a bitch!! I’m getting sick of dealing with these flea bags!” It sounded as if the howling was coming from all directions, rushing wolves coming from all around. Quickly, Blaise got into position again and tapped his chest-comm again… the others doing likewise and looking around, waiting for the next attack, “Command? I really would like to know where that damn support is!!”\n\n\tThis time, it wasn’t Command. A male voice cut in with a slight growl to the accent, \n\n\tBlaise’s eyes widened and made a bit of a growl himself, his own a rather angry one, “H… How are we holding up? Oh, just dandy, Sarge, considering we’ve been dealing with unquestionably pissed off wolves for the last half hour or so!! Really, I have to commend you for your prompt ‘rapid response’!”\n\n\t<…Sorry, Captain. With the darkness, it’s not easy to traverse through these woods. We should be coming onto your location in about… five… ten minutes.>\n\n\t“Great to hear, Sarge… Try to cut that time in half! We’re going into round three now!” No sooner than Blaise finished, a wolf each started to come in from the north, west, and south clearings. “Ok, everyone… How does one-for-one sound?”\n\n\tMaximar nodded, locking his blade in a ready, offensive stance, “I’ll take the wolf coming from the west.”\n\n\tKalira raised her rifle again from her brief rest to the incoming wolf from the south, “I’ll deal with this one.”\n\n\tBlaise turned to face the north wolf and chuckled under his breath, shaking his head, “Nice of you two to leave me the leftovers… Ok, then… LET’S ROCK!!”\n\n\tThe wolf from the south was running up rapidly at Kalira, the Felidari ranger rapidly firing a few bursts at it. The lupine seemed to be a smart one, learning from the mistakes of Kalira’s last foe, running in a zigzag rush and dodging all the incoming fire… a disheartening occurrence for Kalira to say the least. The wolf then leapt at Kalira, but so did she… right for the wolf’s face with a hard kick, spinning around with another heel kick with the other foot. As gravity started to bring the aerial combatants down, Kalira took aim for the spiraling creature’s body and let loose with a violent spray of longrifle fire, putting an end to its life. Quickly, she turned to see how the others were fairing, starting to run for Maximar, rifle aiming at his current opponent.\n\nMaximar rushed forward and hammered down the west wolf from a leaping bite with a hard, overhead slash, running in to close in on the fallen beast. The wolf quickly got up and snapped at the aquiline warrior, which he quickly stepped to the side to dodge. He took another swing, this time horizontally, only to miss and leave himself wide open. Taking advantage, the wolf slashed its claw across the scales of his left shin, leaving a pretty good twin gash along it. Hissing out in pain, Maximar used his blood-fueled anger to spin around and cut the wolf hard in the back. Before the wolf could make any more retaliation, multiple bursts of blood sprayed out of its side, as Kalira peppered it in the side with gunfire. Max looked up to Kalira and smiled a bit, “…Thanks.”\n\nKalira smiled right back to him, “Any time…” Her smile was ended quickly though, as a bellowing howl was heard from on top of the cliff on which the rebel complex was situated. She looked up, unable to see what it came from, pointing to the north, “Maximar, think you can go help support Blaise? I should be able to handle this next one.”\n\n“Of course, Kali… I won’t let a little scrap do me in…” With that, he was off.\n\nAs for Blaise, the north wolf managed to get the first attack in with a high jump, which was only interrupted by an upward slash from his swallowblade and cut across the stomach with a wide spinning swing as it was falling down onto the ground. The wolf growled and staggered back up to its feet, only to see Maximar coming in to help. Blaise glanced over his shoulder at the incoming avian, smirking a bit, “Coming to take away some of my fun?”\n\nMaximar swung down at the wounded wolf, missing as it jumped back, “Just making good on my promise of working together to get out of this alive, Blaise…”\n\nBlaise hopped to the side as the wolf bit at him, “You know, Max… I think I’ve been wrong about you…”\n\n\tMaximar stepped forward as the wolf’s attack left it wide open for a swift decapitation from his sword, “I must say the same of you, Blaise…”\n\n\tBefore Blaise could continue their sudden bonding conversation, the sound of a loud landing thundered behind him and Maximar, a scream from Kalira heard not too long after, “BLAISE! MAXIMAR! WE’VE GOT TROUBLE!! THE ALPHA’S HERE!!”\n\n\tThe pair turned to look to see what could’ve made such a sound. Maximar’s beak dropped open in a silent gasp, “…What in Solravis’s name?” Likewise, Blaise stared in shock, murmuring, “…What the fuck is THAT? That looks like more than some alpha wolf…” Standing at the foot of the cliff in a landing-induced depression in the ground was another wolf, but this one stood out a whole lot more than the last nine that the three of them dealt with. This one wolf in particular was about two… almost three times the size of the others. Twelve feet long and about 6 feet at the shoulder, with long spines sprouting from its back intermittently, eyes glowing a vivid green, and it was glaring right at Kalira. Blaise screamed at the top of his lungs, “Kalira! RUN!!!”\n\n\tKalira didn’t do as ordered though, already having her rifle raised and unloading rapid fire into the mammoth wolf, every hit landing into its body and spraying blood… blue-green blood instead of the usual crimson variety. Furious, the wolf started to make its charge at the Felidari. Quickly, Blaise and Maximar started to make chase after it, the former just barely able to get a scrape on the wolf’s side with his swallowblade as it thundered by with alarming speed for Kalira. Unfortunately for Kalira, her longrifle’s plasma pack finally burn out, causing her to hiss in both anger… and fright, “Shit!!” Before she could reach into her trenchcoat for a recharge, the huge beast lowered its head and smashed into her abdomen hard, causing her to lose her breath in a hoarse yowl, and fly backwards through the air a good ten feet and sliding across her rump on the ground another five. Coughing up a bit of blood, Kalira favored her belly a bit with a handpaw, muttering, “…Damn it. Don’t think you got me down… that easily…”\n\n\tSeeing the huge, violent hit on Kalira, something snapped in Blaise, his eyes going wide as he and Maximar ran ahead, the Accipiterran reaching the large alpha wolf and swinging his no-dachi at it… an attack that the beast leapt away from with a side jump. The dodge happened to let the furious Blaise get a good hack of his weapon into the alpha’s rump, causing more blue-tinted blood to spray out. Before Blaise could react though, the wolf spun around with a big swipe of its paw into his stomach, causing him to stagger back a bit and get a trio of claw slashes across his undershirt, “UGH!” Thankfully, this dual distraction from Blaise and Maximar allowed Kalira to get a breather for a few seconds… and a full recharge on her rifle’s plasma pack. Immediately, from her seated spot on the dirt, Kalira started to unload a few more rapid bursts into the back of the wolf. The hits didn’t grab its attention though, as the wolf continued to focus on a Blaise that was swollen with determination to protect Kalira. Another large claw slashed at Blaise, who tried to spin away, but instead for raked hard against the back, “AAAAGH! Ok, I’ve had enough of this!!” With a sudden, reckless leap, Blaise hurtled into the air and thrust down through the back of the mutant alpha, actually managing to impale it down to the ground with his swallowblade… yet it looked like it wouldn’t hold for long! He looked over his shoulder, “MAX!!! DO SOMETHING!”\n\n\tQuickly, Maximar sprung into action at the order from Blaise, twisting around in his step and cleaving his katana through the alpha’s entire body in one single swipe as if it was a huge stick of butter. The wolf fell into two halves in a pool of its innards and blue blood, “…Is that decisive enough?”\n\n\tBlaise blinked, then nodded at Maximar with a grin, “Very much so.” He moved over to Kalira, helping pull her back up to her feet, “You ok there, Kali?”\n\n\tKalira nodded, wiping at her lip with the back of her handpaw, “Yeah, Blaise. A hit like that won’t take me out. Don’t worry so much.” She was sore, but she did her best to offer an affirmative smile.\n\n\tNot too much long after, the 424th Rapid Response Team came out of the northern clearing, armed with longrifles and dressed in heavy field armor, each tailored for whichever race the member was. The leader flipped open his visor, showing a white Felidarian with blue eyes, obviously Sergeant Sartharan from before, “Captain… Are you all ok?”\n\n\tBlaise turned, nodding at the Sergeant, “…Yeah. We’ll just need some minor healing on the way back, especially the Lieutenant. Also… I think one of your guys should pick up one of the wolves up for the labs back at base. Something was definitely off with them…”\n\n\t“Oh… O… Of course, Captain O’Driscoll. Right away…” With a quick salute, the sergeant turned to the other four rapid response team members, “Let’s get moving, men!” Immediately, two of the troopers went to pick up one of the fallen, mostly intact wolves, while the others started to escort Blaise, Kalira, and Maximar back towards the extraction point. First, an airstrike, and now… wolves? Blaise had much on his mind…\n\nChapter 6: Doubt and Painful Memories\n\n\tAfter arriving back at Firebase Ragnarok in the Accipiterran capital of Hau’khaven, Blaise, Kalira and Maximar were treated by the Aetherealist Medics for their wounds. A half day’s rest later, the three of them were ushered into the office of the current Commanding Officer of the base, none other than Colonel Leonis Rasaris, Blaise’s “uncle” and Kalira’s father. He was a tall and very powerful looking Felidari of the Tigrana subspecies, looking much like his own daughter, resembling a white tiger with a spiky mane of brunette hair on the top of his head, yet he was lacking a few certain… bountiful assets of her. He steepled his handpaws together, resting his chin on them, eyeing Blaise and Kalira with a scrutinizing eye, “So… you mean to tell me that one of our own Lynx bombers tried to include you as collateral damage?”\n\n\tBlaise nodded, “That’s right, sir… and it caused us to take a detour into Taelyn Pass, where we were attacked by a large pack of wolves.”\n\n\tLeonis leaned back into his chair, looking right at Blaise with a raised eyebrow, “…I heard about that, though listening to your communicator logs, you were having quite a bit of trouble with them and even went so far as to say they were… ‘like battletanks.’ That’s not like operatives of Gryphon Squadron, Captain. Did you really have that much trouble with –wolves—?”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “You don’t understand. I meant exactly what I said!”\n\n\tLeonis leaned forward, “I’d lower my tone if I were you, Captain…”\n\n\tKalira stepped forward, “Fathe—S… sir, Blaise is right. The three of us put many direct hits on some of these wolves and they were only lightly wounded. We had the rapid response unit retrieve one of the wolves’ corpses so the labs here could investigate any abnormalities on it, on Blaise’s request.”\n\n\tLeonis blinked at that, looking at Kalira, then Blaise, chuckling faintly, “Trying to cover up for some ineptness, Captain?”\n\n\tBlaise’s eyes widened in anger, staring to open his lips to snap back, but then Maximar stepped in to cut him off. The Accipiterran gestured, “Colonel Rasaris, what Blaise and Kalira are saying are true. I’ve fought the wildlife now and then, but these wolves were the most vicious and durable I’ve fought. What’s more, the alpha of the pack was extremely… unusual.”\n\n\tThe Colonel’s eyes looked at Maximar now, tilting his head as he inspected the young Accipiterran knight, “…And you are?”\n\n\tMaximar bowed his head respectfully, “Maximar Ki’lores, initiate of the Order of Serathia.”\n\n\tLeonis blinked, “Oho… A trainee of the Solra’vir? Reminds me a bit when Blaise’s father and I ran into one ourselves years ago… Must be history repeating itself a bit.” \n\nThat comment had Blaise look down a bit, and suddenly turn around to start walking out, “I’m going to check and see if the labs found out anything about that fleabag we brought home…” With that said, he was gone before Leonis, or any of the others, could stop him. \n\nLeonis looked down with a deep sigh, murmuring, “…I shouldn’t have brought that up.” He gripped the arms of his chair, looking back up to Kalira and Maximar, “Forgive me… You are both dismissed as well. Mr. Ki’lores, feel free to use our base’s facilities.”\n\nMaximar bowed his head again, “Thank you, sir…”\n\nKalira patted the avian’s shoulder and started to lead him out, “Let’s go, Max, I’ll show you around a bit.”\n\nOnce they left, Leonis leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes with a deep sigh, “Blaise… I’m so sorry…”\n\nChapter 7: Shower and A Conversation\n\nAfter Kalira’s little tour, Maximar decided to hit the showers, stripped down to nothing but his feathers and stepping into the hot water. The avian closed his eyes with a sigh, “What a day… I wonder how Lady Sol’ryas will take the news of my mission. Oh well… nothing to do now but relax.” Maximar’s peace and privacy suddenly was invaded when he opened his eyes and saw a very nude Kalira standing under the shower across from him, facing him with her body. The discovery was enough to get a squawk of surprise out of the naked aquiline and make him jump with wide eyes, his nares going as red as possible, “K… Kalira?! Wh… What are you d—“\n\nKalira giggled and purred, crossing her arms under her chest, causing her breasts to lift up quite a bit… something that caught Maximar’s attention, in some ways more than others. It was hard to tell if it was meant to be soothing, teasing, or a mixture of the two… well… at least in Maximar’s mind. The Felidari spoke up finally, “What’s wrong, Maximar? You look like you’ve never seen a pair of naked breasts before…”\n\nMaximar’s beak clacked a few times as he tried to muster the right words to reply with, shifting in place, trying to keep his eyes from staring too much. His thoughts? <…By Solravis, they’re even bigger out in the open! I’m surprised she doesn’t fall over…> Thankfully, his words didn’t match his lewd mind. “Wh… wha…? N… no, I’ve seen breasts before!” Lie number one… “Wh… what do you think I am?”\n\nKalira smirked, continuing to purr, uncrossing her arms to grab her shampoo… which led her flaunted assets to bounce from the full effects of gravity, “To be honest? Easily embarrassed and shy, from what I can tell… not to mention easy to excite.” She couldn’t help a giggle again, glancing down at some growing embarrassment on Maximar… something that he was doing everything in his power to cover it up.\n\nMaximar couldn’t stop his blushing, mind wandering again, He took a deep breath, “I… I am not...” Lie number two! He finally grabbed his own soap to start his own lather, though his talons were a bit jittery. He finally asked the one question that was stabbing him in the head, “Um, Kalira…? What’re you doing here?”\n\n“Taking a shower, Maximar. Why do you ask?”\n\n“That’s… not what I meant. This is the mens’ locker room, right?”\n\nKalira’s smirk turned into a big grin as she started to rinse off, “Oh! I think I see your problem now. No, Maximar… There’re no separate lockers for men and women here in Union Military facilities. Everything’s unisex here at Firebase Ragnarok.”\n\nWell, that answered that burning question… Maximar started to rinse off himself, “Oh… I… I knew that...” Lie number 3! Thankfully for him, he was starting to calm down a bit from the awkwardness as well as his other… ‘big’ issue. He was even more thankful that nothing more came of the latter situation.\n\nKalira shut off her shower and padded her way over to Maximar with a smile, “Feeling a bit better there, Maximar?”\n\nHe shut off his shower, nodding, “Um… yes, Kalira. Th… Thanks.”\n\nThe Felidari giggled gently, “Sure. Well I’m going to get going… and Max? You’re such a horrible liar.” She started to leave when she grabbed a towel and tossing it over to Max as she grabbed her own.\n\nThe Accipiterran caught the towel, then blinked, starting to follow her, “Kalira… wait up.”\n\nShe blinked, wrapping her towel around her chest and looking to him, the fabric barely able to fully wrap around her, “Huh? What’s up, Maximar?”\n\n“I… kinda wanted to talk about something… about Blaise,” replied Maximar as he wrapped his own towel around his waist.\n\nKalira tilted her head, then nodded, thumbing behind her shoulder, “Oh, sure. I think my locker is right next to where you put your stuff. How about we talk there?”\n\nMaximar nodded, “That’d be fine, Kalira.”\n\nThe pair wandered over to their spaces, where Kalira sat down on a bench and Maximar crossed his arms, leaning up against the lockers. The ranger looked up to the avian, “So… what’s on your mind about Blaise?”\n\n“Well… he seemed awfully defensive when your father, the Colonel, brought up something about a past mission with a Solra’vir. Do you know anything about it?”\n\nKalira’s lips formed into a slight frown, “Well… I don’t know all the details, but… I’ll share what I know.”\n\nMaximar tilted his head, seeing her expression, “Forgive me… I must have brought up a very touchy subject. You don’t have t—“\n\n“No, Maximar… It’s only fair that you learn a bit. Before Blaise and I were the active members of Gryphon Squadron, our fathers were in the unit as its operatives. One mission, they were teamed up with a young initiate of the Order of Serathia. The assignment eventually became permanent, and… well, Blaise’s father apparently grew a lot of feelings for her.”\n\nThe Accipiterran listened to this with great interest, nodding, “Please continue…”\n\n“Well, they eventually had a son, who was Blaise… but from what I heard, the Solra’vir who gave birth to him passed away very shortly afterwards. So he grew up without his mother. What’s worse, he was exiled from his birthplace, Sol’phedar Isle, in some place called Sancta Sola’ryon, and his father has been so busy with work as a General in the Union military that… well… Blaise’s father entrusted him to my own father, since he was some what of an uncle to him.”\n\nMaximar looked down and frowned at that, “…So he essentially never knew his parents well. I can really relate to Blaise then…” He then looked back to Kalira, “Did you happen to know the name of the Solra’vir who courted with Blaise’s father?”\n\nShe shook her head, “No, Maximar. I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I never heard the name from whatever I was told about it.”\n\nMaximar nodded, “…Ok, well… Thank you for telling me, Kalira.”\n\n“Sure, Max—“ Kalira was suddenly cut off by her communicator resting in her locker with her clothes, as it started to chirp with a message. She reached out and tapped it, “Kalira here…”\n\n\n\nKalira looked to him and smiled, “Yeah, I’ll let him know. We’ll meet up at the office. Kalira out.” She shut off her comm. With a tap, she swished her tail a bit, “Maximar, we need to get dressed. My father needs to speak to us as soon as possible. It’s probably something about the lab results on that wolf, I’m guessing.” She tossed her towel off and started to get her clothing back on, “By the way, Maximar… Thanks for the company just now. I hope you didn’t mind?”\n\nHe shook his head, letting his towel drop, starting to get dressed himself, “Not at all, Kalira… I was able to grow out of that awkward moment well enough, heh… Oh, and Kalira?”\n\n“Yeah?”\n\n“The more I think about it… the more I think I’m comfortable with you… and Blaise… calling me Max. When Blaise called me that first, it really caught me off guard, since only my closest friends and my commander call me that. It felt… odd with a stranger calling me that.”\n\n“I’ll only call you that on one condition, Max…”\n\n“And that is?”\n\n“Call me Kali, and just loosen up a bit around us, ok? You’ll be fine.”\n\n“Heh… ok, Kali.”\n\nChapter 8: On To Butea Piedmont\n\n\tBlaise was leaning up against the wall of the Colonel’s office, arms crossed over his chest, looking to Leonis, “Boss… I’m sorry about my outburst earlier. I shouldn’t have—“\n\n\tLeonis shook his head, “No, Blaise. I was the one out of line, bringing up something that brought up a memory of your mother.”\n\n\tBlaise was about to speak up when the door hissed open, and Kalira and Maximar stepped in together. The ranger smiled and waved, “Sorry if we’re late… What’s going on?” Maximar seemed to be in slightly higher spirits as well too… something that made Blaise raise a bit of an eyebrow.\n\n\tLeonis watched his daughter and the aquiline with her for a few moments, before leaning back in his chair, “We had a message come in a few days ago that said that some of the wildlife in the woods near Qes’trahl Bay seemed a bit more aggressive than usual. A member of the Ver’dahnti, by the name of Shadorn Sha’dravyn.”\n\n\tMaximar blinked, stepping forward, “Did you say Shadorn Sha’dravyn?”\n\n\tThe Colonel nodded, “That’s right, Mr. Ki’lores. You are familiar with him?\n\n\t“Yes, sir. He’s the older brother of a childhood friend.”\n\n\tBlaise huffed, “That’s nice and all, Max… but Colonel, sir… I’ve found that the labs have learned something about the dead wolf we brought back for them to study.”\n\n\tLeonis turned his attention to Blaise, “And? What was found?”\n\n\t“Nanotech droids in the brain and the muscle fibers… As well as something the lab techs said that they seemed to inject the wolf with. Some sort of mutagen. The mutagen is unknown, but it seemed in concert with the nanotech, strengthening the wolf’s flesh to be much more durable and undertake a much more violent disposition than usual… At least that’s what the initial reports were.”\n\n\tThat definitely got a big raise of Leonis’s eyebrow, the Colonel speaking up, “…Did you say nanotech in conjunction with a mutagen?” He closed his eyes and shuddered, murmuring in a tone that he thought was for only himself, “…Could it be? No… no… There’s no way. We shut down that thing more than twenty years ago.”\n\n\tKalira tilted her head, “What’s that? What’s wrong, Father?”\n\n\tHe quickly dismissed it, “No, my daughter… It’s nothing… Just an idle random thought.” He looked between the three, “Since you have experience with what might be another occurrence with wildlife going mad, do you want to go and accept Mr. Sha’dravyn’s request for help?”\n\n\tBlaise and Kalira both nodded, the former speaking up, “Consider us signed up… We’ll check out what’s going on.”\n\n\tMaximar stepped forward again, “I would like to accompany them as well, even if I’m not part of Union military business.”\n\n\tLeonis looked to Maximar, “It’s no trouble, Mr. Ki’lores. You’re more than welcome to assist Blaise and Kalira.” He leaned forward, steepling his fingers on the desk, “There’s a transport vehicle departing for the village of Butea Piedmont. You can make your way to Qes’trahl Bay through the Strigidian Mountain Pass, which you enter from the village. Good luck to you all, and stay safe.”\n\n\tThe three started to head out when Leonis looked to Blaise, “Blaise? You, especially… The last thing I want is your old man hearing about you dying a grisly death.”\n\n\tBlaise chuckled a bit, “Don’t worry… I’ll make sure nothing happens.” With that, he was out.\n\n\tLeonis leaned back with a sigh, “…I also don’t want your mother finding out about you getting killed either. Damnit… Blaise… When will you learn the truth?”\n\n\tThe transport vehicle that Blaise, Kalira and Maximar hopped on was already well underway on its trip to Butea Piedmont, making its pass through Taelyn Pass. Blaise and Kalira were sitting side by side on one side of the passenger section, with Maximar facing them from his seat on the other side. There was a long, awkward silence… until Blaise leaned forward a bit, hands on his knees, “So, Max… You seemed to be rather buddy-buddy with Kali as you walked into the Colonel’s office.” A grin swelled on the Captain’s face, fixing his sunglasses with a finger, “I’m curious to just what kind of tour she gave you… Must’ve been quite special.” \n\n\tMaximar blinked, “What… kind…? She only just showed me around the base, well… aside from the classified sectors.”\n\n\t“Oh, surrrrrrrrrrre… You two might as well have been just holding talon and paw together… You probably have the hots for—“ Blaise jumped with a sound of shock and discomfort when Kalira suddenly lashed out without looking at him, with a hard backhand to his stomach, knocking the wind out of him and making him double over, “HURK!!! Th… the hell, Kali… What was THAT for? I’m only kidding around… Fuck…” Blaise started to rub the sore spot at which the thundering paw strike of Kalira made.\n\n\tKalira still didn’t even look to Blaise, an uncommonly stern look on her face, “Keeping you in line like always, you asshat. I don’t know what it’s going to take for you to learn good manners…”\n\n\tMaximar cleared his throat, “Well… to be honest, Blaise… Her tour was just as I said. As for Kalira…” He looked to the feline, then back to Blaise, “I must admit she’s one of the most attractive women I’ve met, but I’m not… um…” The avian started to blush, but before he could continue…\n\n\tBlaise started to recover enough to cut off Max, “What? Not into the girls so m—Uuuuuh!!!” His eyes widened as he slid down to the next chair as Kalira brandished one of her claws at him. “Kidding! Kidding!!”\n\n\tMaximar could do nothing but stare dumbfounded at the pair, The Accipiterran took a deep breath, “No, Blaise. I’m as straight as an arrow. It’s just that I’ve had trouble expressing myself to someone I’ve had interest with for a while.”\n\n\tKalira lowered her claw and looked over to Maximar, suddenly perking up, “Oh? You didn’t say anything about that. Who’s the lucky girl? I think it’s safe to say that I’m not it, with what you said about a minute ago…”\n\n\tBlaise looked like he was going to say something, but he just kept his lips shut. He was sure that a third instigation would truly bring down Kalira’s wrath on his head.\n\n\tMaximar thought for a moment, but he felt he trusted these two, saying, “Pharstis… that friend I mentioned earlier whose older brother is the one who put out the request that we’re fulfilling.”\n\n\tKalira tilted her head, “Pharstis, huh? That’s an interesting name. What’s she like? Um… I mean, you don’t have to share if you don’t want to though…”\n\n\tBlaise continued remain quiet as Maximar shook his head, “It’s ok. I suppose it’ll help pass the time talking about her. To start, she works as a school teacher at Qes’trahl Bay for younger children. She’s an extremely bright woman and knows many things… and if she doesn’t know about it? She’ll study what she can so she can know about it.”\n\n\tKalira smiled, “Works with children, huh? Definitely a noble profession.”\n\n\tBlaise couldn’t help it anymore, finally commenting, “That’s surprising, Max. I never took you as the type who was into the brainy bookworm girls. You still haven’t gotten into the other important aspect of her though… How about some details on how she looks?”\n\n\tKalira rolled her eyes, then looked to Max, who seemed to be sweating bullets a bit. The avian took a deep breath, “Well… She’s about the same height as Kalira, for starters, wears glasses… Black feathers covering the body with a gold beak, with crystal blue eyes. She’s not exactly the most… um…” Too shy to verbalize it, Maximar made large, round curving motions in front of his chest.\n\n\tBlaise ahs, nodding sagely, “Oh! No big thing. So what if Pharstis’s chest doesn’t have anything near Kalira’s m—“\n\n\tWith a quick swivel of her head to Blaise and eyes going wide, Kalira roared, “You better not DARE say THAT…”\n\n\tBlaise put his hands up in defense, “Whoa whoa whoa, Kali… You’re jumping the gun! I know not to say THAT…”\n\n\tMaximar was beet red in the nares, “…That…?”\n\n\tBlaise and Kalira both turned to glare at Maximar, speaking in unison, “Yes, THAT! Just don’t worry about it!” They then both turned at each other, spitting off at each other in a heated argument. \n\n\tMaximar sighed and sank into his seat, closing his eyes, “…Nevermind. Let’s just forget this conversation ever got this far…”\n\n\tThe rest of the trip was rather uneventful compared to the little verbal scuffle that blew up between Blaise and Kalira… Thankfully for Maximar, not to mention Blaise’s physical well-being, the heat between the two Gryphon Squadron operatives simmered away over the next, rather silent, half hour. Blaise crossed his arms over his chest, looking up towards the front and calling out, “Hey! How much longer until we get to this little mountain hick town?!”\n\n\tThe driver’s co-pilot, a blonde-haired human female, looked over her shoulder with a stern expression, “Oh, keep your pants on, Captain… We still have about another hour until we hit Butea Piedmont. Anything else you want to whine about?”\n\n\tBlaise just had a big, blank look on his face once the co-pilot made the whining comment, finally saying, “…No.”\n\n\tThe driver, a russet-furred Lupani male, looked back for a moment, “If any of you want a good view of the Strigidian Range on the horizon, feel free to climb up into the gunner’s nest.”\n\n\tKalira perked at the offer, “I think I’ll just take him up on that…” She purred and grinned at Blaise and Maximar, “Besides, I think you two could use a little male bonding time.” Before any protest from Blaise could be mustered, the Felidari was gone, swiftly climbing up into the nest.\n\n\tFor about a minute, there was a bit of an awkward silence between the Captain and the Solra’vir initiate. The minute seemed to feel like an eternity, but finally, both of them simultaneously broke the silence with, “So…”\n\n\tMaximar shook his head and gestured, “Please… you first.”\n\n\tBlaise chuckled, “Max, I don’t even know what to start with… You start.”\n\n\t“Oh, ok… For starters, I’m wondering… Just what did you mean by… ‘THAT’?”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, then cautiously eyed the ladder leading up into the gunner’s nest that Kalira disappeared up into. Taking a deep breath as he saw that the coast seemed clear, he looked to Maximar, “What I tell you NEVER… EVER leaves your beak, Max… You got me? You say this with her around, and you’ll find that nice, sweet, little Kali becomes an engine of destruction that doesn’t need her longrifle to ruin your day… or five.”\n\n\tMaximar tried to mentally sketch out something that’d vividly portray something along the words of Blaise. The only image that came up was him running for his life from a 50 foot tall, naked Kalira demolishing an entire city in a furious rush after him. The imaginative mind of the Accipiterran gave him quite the absent-minded, horrified look on his face.\n\n\tBlaise blinked, then leaned forward, snapping his fingers in front of Max’s beak, “Hey… are you still with me?” he thought.\n\n\tMax snapped out of the rather creative horror film scene that was playing in his brain, “H… huh? Oh, yeah. So, what is this ‘THAT’?”\n\n\tBlaise glanced to the ladder going into the nest again, then back to Maximar, “Back when we were in the military academy a few years ago, she kinda grew a big reputation for herself.”\n\n\t“…She doesn’t come off like a slut.”\n\n\tBlaise started to laugh at that, “Oh, God… Don’t let her hear you say that. But, no… you’re right.” He made a joking hefting motion with his hands in front of his chest, as if he was bouncing his set of massive assets. The reputation didn’t bloom from the way she acted, but more because of her breast size.”\n\n\tMaximar’s nares flushed a great deal, “…I guess that makes a good bit of sense.”\n\n\t“As a result, she earned quite the pet name by some of the other cadets…”\n\n\t“And… that was…?”\n\n\tAgain, Blaise made a cautious glance to the gunner’s nest again. The coast was still clear. He moved over next to Maximar, cupping a hand to his eartuft and whispering, “…Milkjugs.”\n\n\tMaximar was quick to cover his beak with his hand talons to stifle a geyser of laughter, stammering, “M… Milkjugs? I’m sorry, but that’s pretty hilarious. I’m normally not like this, but I have to ask… Did the other cadets ask her for coffee creamer or something?”\n\n\tNow it was Blaise’s turn to start a giggle fit, “Now that, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Though… There was the one time when a fellow cadet of hers asked her if she had any extra milk for his cereal, as the cafeteria ran out one morning.”\n\n\t“…Oh no. That probably was taken the wrong way.”\n\n\tBlaise snickered, “You don’t know the half of it. Poor guy was in the infirmary for about two days, all because the cafeteria was out of milk and he asked the wrong person if they had any to spare. He wasn’t even trying to poke fun at her. She just took the question wrong and flipped out.”\n\n\tThe pair was in good spirits, laughing together about the conversation topic for a while before they calmed down with a duet of them letting out deep breaths. Maximar was the first to calm himself, smiling to Blaise, “That was a good laugh, Blaise. Thanks…”\n\n\t“Yeah, Max… It was, wasn’t it? It felt good.” Just then, Blaise’s communicator chirped, which he quickly tapped on his chest, “O’Driscoll here…”\n\n\t\n\n\t“Last I heard about 15 minutes ago, we were about an hour away from Butea Piedmont. Is something wrong?”\n\n\t\n\n\tBlaise’s eyes narrowed, “…That’s Fenrir Squadron jurisdiction, isn’t it?”\n\n\t\n\n\t“Right, will do… O’Driscoll out.” Blaise tapped his communicator off, looking to Maximar.\n\n\tThe aquiline tilted his head, “Everything ok?”\n\n\t“Not sure… I’m just getting a bit of a chilly feeling for some reason, though I really can’t say what.”\n\n\tA call from the co-pilot came from the front, “Hey, you three. We’re almost at Butea Piedmont. Better prepare for drop-off.”\n\n\tKalira started to finally come down from the gunner’s nest, taking her seat beside Blaise again, “Really nice view up there.”\n\n\tBlaise chuckled lightly, “Glad you liked it… Too bad this isn’t a pleasure trip though, Kali…”\n\n\tFinally, the vehicle stopped. The Lupani pilot looked back, “Well, you three. Trip’s over, so it’s time to get your tails up and out of my ride.”\n\n\tBlaise rolled his eyes and laughed, “Yeah, yeah… We’re moving, we’re moving…” The hatch leading out of the transport vehicle opened up, allowing the three to depart and start on their mission.\n\nChapter 9: An Unexpected Revelation\n\nThe town of Butea Piedmont was an interesting one, the housing constructed into two faces of the Strigidian Valley looking out at each other, built on four tiers each. Kalira stared up to the architecture and purred, “That’s really cool. I’ve never seen people build their homes and the like in such a way.”\n\n\tBlaise looked around a bit as well, “Even I have to say that I’m pretty impressed.”\n\n\tMaximar looked to the pair with a smile, “Many people on this world consider Butea Piedmont to be one of the finest manmade wonders on this world, but I don’t know how long it could have taken them to build such a marvel.”\n\n\tSuddenly, there was a call in the distance, “Maximar Ki’lores, is that you?”\n\n\tThe three looked over towards the source of the voice, only to see a female avian with black feathers and glasses resting over her crystal blue eyes, dressed in a royal blue unitard with a diamond cut in the chest to show off a bit of cleavage on her very modest chest. The unitard also had a long flap running down between her legs, and another wider one running down behind her over her rump. Around her waist was a red sash, with what seemed to be a short sword sheathed in a scabbard on it. Maximar blushed quite a bit, offering a shy wave, “M… Miss Pharstis, I’m surprised to see you here at Butea Piedmont… What’re you doing here?”\n\n\tPharstis wandered over, pushing up her glasses onto the bridge of her beak with a smile, “I’d like to ask the same thing. I thought you were sent off on a mission by Aunt Destany.”\n\n\t“Oh, no… That mission’s been over since two days ago. As for why we’re here, I think it’s better you ask my friends here.”\n\n\tThe ebon avian hen turned to regard the pair, nodding her head with a warm smile, “Pharstis Sha’dravyn… and you are?”\n\n\tKalira stepped forward first with her best purring smile, “Lieutenant Kalira Rasaris, nice to meet you.” \n\n\tBlaise followed, nodding, “Captain Blaise O’Driscoll… Likewise.”\n\n\tPharstis curiously eyed Blaise for a moment, “…Blaise O’Driscoll, you say?”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, “Gee, my reputation continues to precede me… What’d I do now? I’m just here on orders to meet up with your older brother to see what his little wildlife problem is.”\n\n\tPharstis rested her arms crossed behind her back, looking up to Blaise as she came closer to him, “Ah, Shadorn. Yes, he’s told me that some of the indigenous creatures in Syl’phedar Forest have been getting rather unruly in the past few days, and it has led to a few other Ver’dahnti under his command getting injured.” She looked him up and down for a few moments, fixing her glasses again.\n\n\tBlaise blinked, “…Yes?”\n\n\t“I’m curious, Blaise… Your aetherea has a very familiar feel to my own, one of Phedarian heritage. Can you show it to me?”\n\n\tHe sank back a bit, “That magic soul stuff? I can’t control it at all…”\n\n\tKalira and Maximar watched curiously, the former speaking up, “I’m sorry, Pharstis, but did you say Phedarian heritage?” \n\n\tPharstis looked to Kalira and nodded, “That’s right, Kalira. I may not look it, but I’m what you call a Phecipiterran, a crossbred child between a Phedarian and an Accipiterran. I’ve met a few humans before back home in Qes’trahl Bay, I need to say that none of them stood out as much as you right now.”\n\n\tBlaise crossed his arms over his chest, “In what way?” He was feeling a little uneasy with this woman, but at the same time, there was something… familial about her. Something that made him feel comfortable around her.\n\n\tPharstis looked back over to Blaise, “Well, for starters, Blaise, I’ve never felt such a blatant Phedarian aura within a human like yours. Then, there’s your physical features… Hair as vibrant as the flames of a phoenix, shining gold eyes, and an air of warmth flowing around your being. I’m sure others have noticed this as well.”\n\n\t“Well… yeah. I will say that whenever I get a physical, I blow the doctors’ minds with my regular body heat temperature, which they always say is around 104.”\n\n\tThat revelation got a raised eyebrow and wide eyes from Maximar and Kalira respectively. Pharstis ahh’d, nodding with a chuckle, “Very close to the normal body temperature of a Phedarian. Tell me, Blaise… Who are your parents?”\n\n\tOh no… that question again, but that comforting feeling around Pharstis persisted within him. Blaise took a deep breath, “My father is Drake O’Driscoll, General of the Union Military and deadbeat old man who rarely ever comes to see me. My mother’s been dead ever since an hour or so after I was born, or so I’ve always been told. Something that I feel I’m wholly at fault for.”\n\n\tPharstis recoiled at that, her neck feathers bristling and face aghast in terror, She shook her head, “Blaise… There’s something I need to tell you.”\n\n\tBlaise stared at her, “Oh? And just what is that?”\n\n\tPharstis put her hand talon out to take, “Take my hand, Blaise… Please…”\n\n\t“What…?”\n\n\t“Please… just do it.”\n\n\tShrugging, Blaise reached out, taking Pharstis’s hand in his. Seconds later, he felt that feeling he sensed around her blossom into something more. He shuddered, staring at her, “Wh… what…?”\n\n\tPharstis let go, crossing her arms behind her back again, taking a deep breath and smiling a bit again, “You felt that aura between us, yes? There’s only one explanation for that, Blaise… Only Phedarians and Phecipiterrans who are related by blood have that ability. It is through that in which they can instantly tell who is of family relations with them. My only suggestion is that if you can feel such an aethereal link with me, then that would mean that your unknown mother was… or for this matter… IS a Phedarian.”\n\n\tBlaise, not to mention Kalira and Maximar, looked at Pharstis in great disbelief. The Captain shifted in his spot, “Wh… what are you saying?”\n\n\t“What I’m saying is, Blaise, is that we’re related. I am your blood cousin.”\n\nBlaise put his hands up, shaking his head, “Whoa whoa whoa… Just wait a second. Just how in the hell can I be cousins with… with a bird? Does that mean I hatched from an egg or something?”\n\n\tPharstis covered her beak in a bit of a chuckle, “You can be cousins with me simply because your mother is my Aunt Destany. Oh, and about hatching from an egg, no… Accipiterrans, Phedarians, and crossbred children of our kind are all livebirth.”\n\n\tBlaise could only stare at Pharstis with a deadpan expression of shock. Now it was Kalira’s turn to come forward, tail flicking a bit behind her, “Miss Pharstis…?”\n\n\tPharstis turned to regard the Felidari, “Just Pharstis, please… I’m no older than you. What’s on your mind?”\n\n\t“You said that Blaise’s mother is your Aunt Destany. When you say ‘is’, are you implying that his mother is alive?”\n\n\t“Would I be implying something else, Kalira? Yes… She is very much alive. In fact, Maximar has great ties with her, as she is his commander in the Solra’vir.”\n\n\tMaximar glanced to Blaise and blinked, “…So then… considering how she helped raise me, would that almost make us half-brothers to a degree?”\n\n\tPharstis nodded to Maximar, “Not by blood, but roughly, yes, it would…”\n\n\tNow Blaise’s mind was off the mission… he could only think of his dead mother, who apparently was very much alive. He shook his head, “Pharstis… Where is she?”\n\n\tPharstis blinked, then looked to Blaise, “I last saw her in Qes’trahl Bay before I left here to do some shopping for some materials I needed for teaching, but unfortunately, they were out of what I needed. That was a few days ago though, as I’ve been taking a weekend vacation here to take in the sights.”\n\n\tBlaise lightly grabbed her by the shoulders, “We need to get there as fast as we can then, Pharstis… Please. If… If she really is alive…”\n\n\tPharstis blinked, but then nodded, “Very well then. I was ready to head back anyway.”\n\n\tBlaise nodded, “Then let’s hurry. With any luck, she’s still there.” He looked back to Kalira and Maximar, who still looked under shock from the news as well, “Come on, guys… Let’s go. We’ve got a job to do…”\n\nChapter 10: A Small Bump On The Road\n\nThe group started their way up the inclined path towards the Strigidian Mountain Trail, with Blaise seeming to be the one eagerly leading on. He had a mission to do, but now, he had all that extra drive behind him, to hopefully finally meet the mother he thought he never had. Kalira shook her head, huffing, “Blaise, wait up…”\n\n\tBlaise looked over his shoulder, “But why? We need to hurry up before something happens at Qes’trahl Bay.”\n\n\t“Cut the crap, Blaise. I know you’re serious about missions, but I know you’re really trying to get there as fast as you can to see your mother, but…”\n\n\t“But what?”\n\n\t“You’re doing what you usually do… running along without a proper survey of your surroundings.”\n\n\tBlaise stopped and rolled his eyes, “Oh, come on… This is a major roadway that’s traveled every day.”\n\n\tKalira crossed her arms, “Then where are all the other travelers right now?”\n\n\tBlaise blinked, starting to look around, “…You’re right. Odd that we’re the only ones around…”\n\n\tPharstis looked ahead at a nearby cave opening that the main road was leading into, seeing a pair of armored Lupani troopers from the Union standing there as if they were guarding it, “I don’t recall there being Union security here on the mountain trail when I got here.”\n\n\tMaximar looked to Pharstis, “Really? That’s unusual. I’ve always heard the trail’s relatively safe.”\n\n\tBlaise smirked, “Just stay calm. I’ll handle this.” He wandered up and waved, “Yo, guys. What seems to be the problem?”\n\n\tThe Lupani on the left, a white furred male, looked up and narrowed his eyes, “Sorry… The trail’s closed for all traffic right now.”\n\n\t“Hey now… Don’t you know who I am?” He thumbed at himself, “I’m Blaise O’Driscoll, Captain of Gryphon Squadron… and the four of us are on very important business. We need to get to Qes’trahl Bay to rendevous with the Ver’dahnti.”\n\n\tThe Lupani on the right, a black furred male, shook his head, “Well, ‘Captain’… No dice on doing that, I’m afraid. We’re under orders to not allow anyone through. There’s some serious business going on in the caves.”\n\n\tBlaise narrowed his eyes, “Look, you mutts. How about you let us through right now before I shove my foot up your ass?”\n\n\tThe left Lupani laughed, “Oh, I’m so afraid… Look, just give me a second, ok?” He turned on his radio, “Commander? We got four guys here… A civilian, one of those Solra’vir guys, and two members of Gryphon Squadron… Oh, is that so? …Uh huh… Sure… Right… I’ll let them know right away.” He turned off the radio, nodded to his partner, then suddenly, both raised their rifles at Blaise and the others, “You have clearance to go on through, as long as you all go in your own caskets!” The Fenrir Squadron trooper raised his rifle, as did his cohort, the pair of them starting to rapidly fire at Blaise.\n\n\tBlaise was too fast though, cartwheeling out of the dual gunfire spray, screaming out, “Kalira! Max! Let’s show these assholes what happens when they screw with us! Pharstis, keep back! I don’t want you getting hurt!”\n\n\tPharstis shook her head, “Blaise, don’t tell me what to do!”\n\n\tKalira and Pharstis were already on the black Lupani, with the Felidari ranger unloading a storm of longrifle fire all over his body. Before he could recover, Maximar cut straight through the Lupani’s abdominal plating with one swing, then spun around with an overheard slash, splitting his skull and causing his body to collapse onto the ground.\n\n\tBlaise, himself, was already on top of the white Lupani, cutting across his chest with his swallowblade. He was ready to follow through with another strike, but instead jumped back as what looked like a flaming whip cracked down in front of him and struck the humanoid. Blaise looked over his shoulder and blinked, as he saw Pharstis standing there with her sword drawn, yet the blade seemed to have the form of the flaming whip that slashed just in front of him. Pharstis only smiled back to Blaise, giving a pirouette on a foot and another wide vertical swing of the flaming whip sword, cutting hard into the wolfman again, “As I said… don’t tell me what to do. I’m quite capable of fighting myself, even if I’m just a humble school teacher.”\n\n\tSomewhat amused, Blaise thrust forward with his swallow, impaling the Lupani through the stomach, “Guess I learn something new every day, huh?” He looked over to Kalira, “Take ‘em out, Kali!” Holding him up, the ranger turned her gun at the impaled, flailing lupine and opened fire, ending his life quickly. With that done, he flung the carcass off his blade, brandishing his middle finger at it, “Asshole… That’s what you get when you mess with Gryphon Squadron.”\n\n\tThe white Lupani’s radio was clamoring loudly, \n\nHearing the radio, Blaise wandered over, snatching it up, “And who’s the fleabag I’m talking to?”\n\nA growl was heard on the radio, \n\n“Oh ho! Fenrir Squadron, huh? I got some news for you then. This is Captain Blaise O’Driscoll of Gryphon Squadron, and my group was simply wanting to travel the mountain trail to get to Qes’trahl Bay for a scheduled rendezvous point. May I kindly ask WHY YOU JUST TRIED TO KILL ME JUST NOW AND BACK AT THE COMPLEX NEAR TAELYN PASS?!?”\n\n\n\nBlaise chuckled darkly, “Is that so? Heheheheheh… Thanks for the warning, Sarge. I’m going to be nice to you and say that I’ve got a warning for you too.”\n\nGrathara’s voice had a sudden tone of surprise, <…Is that so, whelp? And just what is that?>\n\n“Just be prepared to lose your life if you dare to wait for us… because, trust me… You don’t know just how bad of an idea it is to piss me off.” Blaise shut off the radio and threw it off to the side, looking back to the others.\n\nKalira peered at Blaise, “…Fenrir Squadron? What’s going on?”\n\nBlaise tapped his chest-comm, looking to the Felidari, “Trouble, Kali… that’s what…” He then focused down to speak into the device, “Command, this is Captain O’Driscoll with an urgent message. I need a patch through to Colonel Rasaris right now.”\n\nA few moments later, Leonis chimed in, \n\n“That’s the problem, Uncle Leo. We arrived at Butea Piedmont and we have proceeded to move onto the trail, plus one civilian… Mr. Sha’dravyn’s younger sister, Pharstis to be exact. It would seem that the Bloodmoon Lance of Fenrir Squadron is installed on the trail through the Strigidian Mountains, and according to their acting sergeant, they’ve been given orders to deal with us with lethal force… issued by their commanding Colonel.”\n\nLeonis went silent for a few moments, then finally came on again, <…Colonel Karazor. It’s all piecing together, with the bombing run, and now this.>\n\n“I just want to know before we do it… Are we permitted to—“\n\n\n\nBlaise chuckled, “Gotcha… and for the record, Uncle Leo… This civilian’s combat ability is nothing to scoff at.”\n\nLeonis chuckled grimly, \n\nBlaise thought for a moment, but shook his head, “No… that’s all.”\n\n\n\nBlaise smirked, “You worry about me too much. We’ll stay out of trouble.” He cut off his comm and looked to the others, then back towards the cave opening, murmuring to himself, “I have a feeling my mom would have Uncle Leo’s head too if I got hurt.”\n\nPharstis fixed her glasses a bit, “Well, cousin? Have you satisfied yourself with your little conversation? You took your time quite well, considering how much of a hurry you seemed to be in.”\n\nThe Captain looked to the black avian and huffed, “Was just checking up on a few things, Pharstis…” He scanned over the others, “Well… I’ve got some good news, for better or for worse.”\n\nMaximar crossed his arms, “And what’s that, Blaise?”\n\n“Well, it turns out that we have full rights to mop the floor with our fleabag friends. Lethal force completely a-ok. It would appear that someone who has it out for me and Kalira is up to something.”\n\nKalira narrowed her eyes, hefting her longrifle over her shoulder, “Karazor, huh? Someone’s really bitter, isn’t he?\n\n\tBlaise grinned at Kalira, “Seems that way…” He then looked at the others, “So, what do you all say? How about we teach all these assholes a lesson?”\n\n\t\n\nChapter 11: The Radio Broadcast Massacre\n\nSergeant Grathara was waiting on a high peak of the mountain pass. He was a very large Lupani with gray fur with dashes of black over his back and tail, and while tall at about seven feet, he wasn’t exactly the fittest of his kind. In fact, one could even go so far as calling him especially porky, as his combat armor suit was stretching over his stocky frame. He looked over a group of eight, fully armored Lupani troopers, complete with helmets over their faces. Grathara pointed his lance at them, “Men, we have a situation. We have four dangerous individuals who dare to stand against us, by meeting with rebels in Qes’trahl Bay. They just killed two of your comrades and now they continue to scale up this very mountain trail.” One of the helmeted Lupani, a lean youth considering his build, raised a handpaw, which made the plump lupine glare at him, “Speak, Corporal…”\n\n\t“Who exactly are these hostiles?”\n\n\tGrathara’s glare narrowed, “They consist of Gryphon Squadron’s two active members, a Solra’vir initiate, and a civilian.”\n\n\tThe eight troopers started to murmur between each other until the previous one spoke up again, “Rebels, sir? I mean… two of them are our own, and the others are—“\n\n\tThe Sergeant growled thunderously, baring his fangs, “Are you questioning my orders, Corporal?”\n\n\tThe Corporal shook his head, “No, sir… I—“\n\n\t“Then why are you spouting off your hot air, pup?!”\n\n\t“S… Sir… I’m just concerned that—HURRRrrrrrrrk?!” The Corporal’s body went tense, dropping his rifle and clutching his stomach, muffled panting heard from his helmet’s mask.\n\n\tGrathara stood there, his eyes glowing with a teal light, palm open and facing the Corporal, “What was that, Corporal? I’m afraid I didn’t catch that!”\n\n\tThe Corporal’s muffled panting turned into pained growling as it seemed that his gray suit was starting to slowly tighten, then swell up in the abdomen… causing the Lupani’s flesh to groan rather audibly and grotesquely. The other seven troopers quickly staggered back, murmuring in horror. He howled out in agony, “S… Sirrrrrr…! It… It hurts! S… Stop!!!”\n\n\tThe Sergeant shook his head and sneered coldly, “This is what happens to those who question me… Farewell, Corporal!” He clutched his open palm into a tight fist, eyes going wide with madness as he stared at the unfortunate trooper. In a final, blood-curdling howl of pain, the Corporal’s stomach and chest swelled out rapidly to nearly four times their size and exploded open in a gory spray of his innards, showering Grathara with blood. He pointed at the Corporal’s ruptured husk and flicked his finger to the side, using a force grab to toss it off the side of the cliff. Rather satisfied, he then looked to the remaining seven troopers with an extremely psychotic looking grin, “What a pity… Using that little spell takes a lot out of me, and I was hoping to save it for one of our little guests. So… Anyone ELSE have a question?”\n\n\tWith a perfectly fearful shaking of their heads, the troopers barked, “Sir! No, sir!”\n\n\tGrathara pointed his lance at them, “Good… Then get into your positions.” With no hesitation, the troopers ran off to set up on the high ground and bridges connecting the cliffs… for fear of getting ballooned up and splattered open like their unfortunate, inquisitive comrade. \n\nSatisfied, the Sergeant jammed his weapon into the ground and picked up his radio, “Bloodmoon-Three, come in… Any problems?”\n\n\tA voice responded, The sound of gunfire and wet splattering was heard over the comm, another voice howling, More gunfire was heard, joined by the sound of roaring flames and blades sinking into flesh, with more screaming following… only to be followed by silence.\n\n\tGrathara growled deeply at the cacophony of sound over the radio, but once it went silent, he barked out loudly, “Bloodmoon-Three… Bloodmoon-Four, do you copy? Come in!” The radio was silent for a few moments, but then the sound of the comm on the other end getting picked up was heard. Quickly, Grathara barked out again, “Bloodmoon-Four?”\n\n\tMuch to the Sergeant’s chagrin, a voice that was quite unwelcome to him, It was none other than Blaise.\n\n\tThe fat Lupani twitched, totally befuddled by the reply that caught him off guard, answered while trying to keep his composure, “…So, Captain O’Driscoll, you’ve decided to press on, have you?”\n\n\t Blaise’s voice was full of glee.\n\n\tA growl swelled in Grathara’s throat, “For someone of such a rank as you, your manners are rather insolent, pup…”\n\n\t\n\n\t“Wait!” bellowed the Sergeant, but his cry went unheeded. Sounds of gunfire and landing blades into flesh were heard through the radio, followed by echoing noises of shattering ice, and it started to put him into a very cold sweat. Did he underestimate this ‘insolent’ youth and his friends? Very much so. Within seconds, the radio went silent for a few moments. Grathara’s ears flattened, his handpaw clenching his radio tightly… so much that the material it was made of creaked lightly. And then…\n\n\tA light huff was heard. It was Blaise again, energetic as ever, \n\n\t“You… What are you?”\n\n\t\n\n\tGrathara was fuming now, taking his radio and throwing it over the side of the cliff to his right, howling in pure rage. After his long, furious bellow, he yanked his lance out of the ground and snarled, looking down to the snipers set up on the nearby cliffs and bridges, “Bloodmoon Lance! Prepare yourself! The enemy’s pushing their way through the cavern!”\n\nChapter 12: Big F*#&ing Bats\n\n\tBlaise tossed the radio he took from the Fenrir Squadron trooper they killed earlier over his shoulder and laughed to himself as he looked to the others, “Well… at least they know we’re coming. Think I made a big enough fool of the sergeant?”\n\n\tKalira could only smirk to Blaise, shaking her head, “Blaise… Always the smooth talker.”\n\n\tPharstis rolled her eyes with a chuckle as she helped tend to a small cut on Maximar’s right arm with some magic, “More like someone who likes to spout off hot air.”\n\n\tAs Maximar’s wound sealed closed, he let out a hissing screech, then grinned to Pharstis, “Trust me… He can back up that hot air, Pharstis. Um… Thanks for the heal though.” Much to his dismay, Pharstis gave a nice, firm pat on his arm where the wound was, making him tense and jerk back, “AWK! OW! Ph… Pharstis… It’s still sore!”\n\n\tThe black avian just smirked to the warrior, “Oh, suck it up. You’re the one who likes to play with sharp objects.”\n\n\tBlaise snickered under his breath, then looked onward down the continuing cavernous path, “Kalira… think you could scout ahead and see what’s up? Scan for traps and the like?”\n\n\tThe ranger nodded, slinging her longrifle over her shoulder, “Sure… Just sit back tight and I’ll give a looksie.” With that, she got down on all fours and started to creep forward, keeping in the darker shadows as she moved ahead, slowly fading from sight.\n\n\tBlaise only watched every move of her, blushing and shaking his head as he caught an eyeful of her swaying rump as she went on ahead, clearing his throat, \n\n\tKalira crawled up to a wall and leaned her back up against it, replacing her rifle back into her handpaws and looking around the corner. Thankfully, being a Felidari, she was gifted with a degree of good low-light vision, but even the dim light made it hard to see completely ahead. She squinted her eyes to try and see better, but there was nothing down the short, bending corridor. The ranger shook her head, but then, she heard voices… very distant voices… Ones with a definite Lupani growl to them.\n\n\t“Man… I’m not liking this at all… The more time passes, the more I hear the guys in front of us getting massacred…”\n\n\t“Yeah? Well you’re not going to like it now… It sounded like the last guys who got killed were Five, Six, and Seven…”\n\n\t“S… Seriously? But then that makes us—“\n\n\t“Yep… That makes us the next two to face those four barreling through the trail. Well… At least if those things in here don’t get them first…”\n\n\t“You… You mean those bats the Sarge injected with something a few days ago?”\n\n\t“You got it, pal… Trust me… I don’t think they have much of a chance if they find them…”\n\n\tHearing this, Kalira raised an eyebrow and started to look upward, “…Bats?” Lo and behold, there were bats that were somehow miraculously asleep with all the noisy racket that was being made, hanging around on the stalactites. She shook her head and frowned, “…I’m starting to get a bad feeling about this.” She continued to let her eyes scan the high ceiling… Bats… Bats… and more bats. A few seconds later though, a pair of two stalactites caught her eye, as no bats seemed to be hanging from them. Kalira raised her rifle’s scope to investigate through night-vision, only to let out a quite gasp of awe… and worry, “…Those aren’t stalactites…”\n\n\tIndeed they weren’t… For they don’t have ears, and on that note, wings. Huge, bladed wings and a long, whip-like tail equipped with a curved, pointed bone that looked perfect for eviscerating an unfortunate victim. Kalira’s horror was compounded when she saw one of the bats opening their wings, which seemed to have a good 15 foot wingspan. The sight was enough for the Felidari to mouth a “…Holy shit.” She knew this was bad, because if those things woke up, things could get messy… fast…\n\n\tKalira carefully raised her rifle and leveled her sight on the large chiropteran mutant that opened its wings, target right on its head, Her aim was steady… without twitching… and finally, she pulled down the trigger and held it, the barrel of her longrifle sparking with life as burning plasma sprayed up in a deadly cloud and rapidly peppered the creature’s head with gunfire, promptly making it explode open like a smashed pumpkin and its body plummeting to the ground slain with a loud crash! Just as Kalira predicted, she moved her rifle’s sight to see the other mammoth bat open up its wings with a sonorous screech, the bellow making all the smaller bats awaken too and start fluttering madly down the corridor, away from the Felidari instigator. Her ears flattened, “…Oh fuck, here we go.”\n\n\tThe large mutant sprung off the ceiling in a twist, gliding rapidly at Kalira with another screech of fury, opening his mouth and baring teeth… fangs that would look much better in the place of a large bowie knife each. Kalira was expecting this though, taking fire at the speeding chiropteran, but it was too fast, rapidly twirling into a barrel roll and lashing its bladed tail for her. Using her agility though, Kalira rolled under the attack and got back up to her knees, taking more fire at it as it continued to soar swifly down the corridor towards the direction of the others. The ranger roared out, “BLAISE!!! INCOMING!!”\n\n\tKalira’s scream echoed back to Blaise, Maximar, and Pharstis, causing the three to look down her way. Blaise raised an eyebrow, getting his swallowblade ready and trying to see just what was coming, “Um… Incoming? Just what do you think i—“ He was in for a shock as the bat pulled up in its glide and turned its back to them with another angry screech that screamed for blood, “—HOLY SHIT!! That’s a big fucking bat!”\n\n\tThe creature seemed ready to make another attempt for Kalira, but Pharstis gave it something else to think about, raising her handtalons in front of her, her eyes glowing with an icy blue light, “Oh, chilling wind, take form and hammer my foe from the heavens… DRAGONFROST!” Just as it started to take its glide, the bat was smashed out of the air as the crystalline handclaw of a dragon formed in the air and slapped it hard onto the ground, the icy hand shattering into ice shards which almost instantly dissipated into wisps of steam.\n\n\tIt wasn’t more than a second later that Maximar rushed in with his no-dachi and swung down to cut off one of the chiropteran’s wings before it could take flight again. The bat flopped angrily and painfully on the ground, screeching more and more as blue-green blood sprayed from the wing socket. The cries were silenced though once Blaise jumped onto its back and drove his swallowblade through the top of its skull, cutting off any brain function on the mutant beast for good.\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, then called down the corridor, “Kali!! Are you ok down there?”\n\n\tHer voice could be heard replying, “No harm done, Blaise!!” Her feet could be heard approaching, and she looked no worse for the wear, if not slightly shaken, looking down at the slain bat, “I have a hunch…”\n\n\tBlaise pulled his blade out of the bat’s skull, huffing and tilting his head, “…Oh really? I think I do too…”\n\n\tPharstis and Maximar looked at the two members of Gryphon Squadron curiously. The schoolteacher fixed her glasses a bit, “Oh? And just what might that be?”\n\n\tBlaise looked to Pharstis, “I think these bats are similar to the mutant wolves we fought back in Taelyn Pass…” He pointed down to the strangely colored blood pooling from underneath the chiropteran beast, “The wolves we killed there, their alpha had blood of a similar color, and our labs back in Hau’khaven confirmed that they had nanotech droids in their brain and muscle fibers injecting them with a mutagen.”\n\n\tPharstis raised an eyebrow, “…Nanotech? Used in such a way? That’s madness… Who would do such a thing?”\n\n\tKalira frowned, looking to Pharstis, “…That’s what my hunch is. I overheard two Bloodmoon Lancer members up ahead, saying that their sergeant injected these bats with something.”\n\n\tBlaise narrowed his eyes, “…So then that would totally confirm that Fenrir Squadron was behind the wolves in the pass.”\n\n\tMaximar looked down with a grim expression, “Then if that’s the case, it’s highly probable that they would be behind the problem the Ver’dahnti are dealing with in Syl’phedar Forest.”\n\n\tBlaise was quick to tap his communicator, but he got nothing but static, “…Damn it. I can’t get good reception back with base in these caves.” He shook his head, starting to move on ahead, “No matter. We’re just going to have to press on and show these guys just how much they’ve fucked up.”\n\n\tNodding in agreement, the group started to move on. Fenrir Squadron was going to pay for what they were playing with… and Blaise was ready to make sure of that.\n\nChapter 13: The Fall of the Bloodmoon\n\n\tGrathara growled quietly to himself as he sat on his perch on the cliff, his mind slowly bloating with madness, His body was twitching in anticipation to hear their screams of agony. Suddenly, one of the snipers on the cliffs below started to run up to where he was in deep thought. The fat sergeant narrowed his eyes, “…Why did you leave your position, pup?!”\n\n\tThe private gave a quick salute, “Um… s… sir…” He handed his radio shakily over to him, “I… It’s for you.” With that, he quickly ran back to where he was supposed to be.\n\n\tGrathara put the radio to his ear, “Yeah?”\n\n\tThe voice was a low rumble, one that had no mirth at all in the tone, \n\n\tThe sergeant’s voice lost all confidence with a small yelp, “C… Colonel K… Karazor…!”\n\n\t<…What’s this? What happened to your usual confidence, Grathara?> Again, the voice was cold and emotionless.\n\n\t“N… No, Colonel. It’s nothing. We did everything that you asked and there aren’t any problems…”\n\n\t\n\n\t“No, Colonel… There are no problems. We’ve closed off the pass in the Strigidians and no one’s getting through us!” exclaimed Grathara, voice cracking slightly.\n\n\t<…Good, because I don’t want to clean up your mess, along with any unfinished business you leave behind. You know how much I don’t like failure… It gives me more, unnecessary bullshit to deal with.>\n\n\t“O… Of course, Colonel… You can have faith in my abilities...”\n\n\t With that, the radio cut off, and Grathara started to break into a very cold sweat and dropped his trooper’s communicator. Failure was not an option for him, whether Blaise and his cohorts brought death to him or not…\n\n\tGrathara howled out, “MEN!!! Anyone who kills one of the intruders will be given triple their pay rate for a year!”\n\n\tMeanwhile… Blaise and the others were standing over the dispatched bodies of Bloodmoon-Eight and Nine. The Captain rolled his shoulders a bit, “So... How much further through this cave, if anyone knows?”\n\n\tPharstis stepped ahead, looking over her shoulder, “Not too much further. Once we get out of these caves, there’s going to be a lot of bridges jumping from cliff to cliff, so the trek can prove to be quite treacherous on windy days.”\n\n\tMaximar added, “Or, for that matter… a rouge Union military unit.”\n\n\tKalira hmmmed, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they have snipers set up, just in case. This could prove to be messy if not done right…”\n\n\tBlaise chuckles a bit, “Oh, come on, Kali. Since when has danger ever stopped us before? Quality over quantity after all. What’s the score now? Us: Nine, not counting the bats… Them: A big fat goose egg?”\n\n\tPharstis just stared at Blaise, “…You’re keeping score?”\n\n\tBlaise smirked to his cousin, “Why not? It’s the only proper way on how to see how bad you’re kicking the other side’s ass.”\n\n\tPharstis blinked, shaking her head, “I don’t know if I’ll ever understand you, Cousin…”\n\n\tKalira giggled slightly, “Trust me… His antics blow my mind sometimes and I’ve grown up with him all my life.”\n\n\tBlaise started to move on, “Well… if there’re more of them, we better not keep our hosts waiting. It’d be rude of us to do so…”\n\n\tThe Bloodmoon sniper team was set up on the bridges negotiating the cliffsides… Three on the highest bridge, another three on the one below, and the last two on the one below that. Their interim leader raised a handpaw, shouting out, “Keep an eye on that lowest bridge, Bloodmoons… They only have one way up here…”\n\n\tThere was a resounding chorus of war howls from the Lupani. Now it was up to Blaise and the others to bring the fight to them… A fight they were sure to lose as the Bloodmoons had the high ground. The snipers didn’t know who they were dealing with though… There was a loud pair of wing flaps heard to the right of the mid-tier bridge, and the reaction time of the Lupani was less than satisfactory. One called out, “W… We’re getting fla—AAaaaaaaaaagh!” only to be cut short as a large spike of ice flew through the air from Pharstis’s open palms and through his gut, dropping him on the spot. \n\n\t“Shit! Shit! Take them ou—“ cried another one who was beside the first fallen, getting silenced as a second pike of ice impaled him right through his armored face, his body dropping and tumbling off the bridge to fall thousands of feet to the earth below. Such a fatal error made by the snipers, for they forgot one of the natural abilities of Accipiterrans and Phecipiterrans: flight. No sooner than the first two died, another from the lowest bridge they were situated on tried to run for Pharstis, but before he could pull the trigger, a great looming shadow enveloped him. It wasn’t even half a second that Maximar dropped out of the air with a downward thrust through the trooper’s chest, swiftly and violently extracting the blade upward and kicking him off the cliff.\n\n\tGrathara ran to the side of the cliff as he heard the start of gunfire and screaming, eyes going wide as he saw the beginning massacre of the snipers, “No… NO!!! This can’t be happening!”\n\n\tNow it was Blaise and Kalira’s turn to start running out across the ‘only way’ up to the Bloodmoon’s sergeant. Blaise called out as he ran ahead, pulling out his handgun and firing a few shots to try and snag a few of the remaining four snipers… yet the bullets didn’t make much purchase on their targets, “Kali!! Snipe them down!”\n\n\t“I’m on it…” A sniper took aim from the highest bridge at Kalira and fired. The Felidari flipped sideways out of the shot’s way, landing on the bridge in a crouch and firing right back, her own shot catching the offender in his head. His armored helmet saved him from death, but the force of the hit caused him to stagger back and trip over the rope railing of the bridge he was on… No helmet would save him from a fall like that.\n\n\tThe last lupinoid on the lower bridge position took aim at Blaise and fired, hitting him in the left shoulderplate as he ran across the winding path of bridges and cliffs, “Whoa! You piece of SHIT!!” The trooper whimpered, fumbling to reload his rifle, but it was too late, as Blaise got right on top of him and gave a hard backhand to the face, clobbering him off the bridge to finish him off, “Let’s see if you can fly, asshole!” The Lupani let out a pitiful cry of death in his plummet into hell.\n\n\tThe Sergeant of the Bloodmoon Lance stared in disbelief still, “…I… I can’t believe it. Five of the seven snipers dead in a matter of a minute…” His mind was in shambles as he saw Pharstis fly up to one of the last two and cut him down with her whip-like, flaming blade, and then Maximar cutting down the last one. It wasn’t long before Blaise looked up to the highest cliff, seeing Grathara in the distance. The fat Lupani whimpered and started to turn tail and run, “I… Impossible… No…” Grathara’s nightmare was coming true… His entire sixteen man unit was gone, and he was next. He completely underestimated the skill of his four adversaries, and he was about to pay for it in dividends involving his blood. He was almost at the cavern entrance at the peak he was surveying the massacre from, when…\n\n\t“Well, well, well… What do we have here?” It was Blaise… The four of them finally caught up with Grathara, and none of them looked very happy to see the chunky sergeant. The Captain of Gryphon Squadron stepped forward, “I think we found who’s in charge of this whole operation, and boy… No wonder you couldn’t out run us. Apparently someone digs into the doggie biscuit bag too much, huh?”\n\n\tGrathara huffed and puffed, turning around with a fearful look on his face which he quickly tried to mask, “You… don’t realize what you’re up against, pup… Allow me to show how powerful I am!” He thought to himself, In a final act of desperation, he thrust a palm out at Blaise and howled in gleeful psychosis, “DIE!!!”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, “…What do you think you’re doing?”\n\n\tThe Sergeant’s expression dissolved into terror, seeing that the exploding spell was not recharged enough to use… But he continued to try casting it anyway, each time an utter failure, as his aethereal reserves were burnt out. \n\n\tBlaise shook his head and grinned, “Look… Whatever hocus pocus you’re trying to use isn’t going to work.” He looked back to the others, “Let’s say we clean house, everyone?”\n\n\t“N… No…!” cried Grathara, who started to run for his life, but it was too late. Kalira raised her rifle and fired a few shots into his back, causing a loud yelp of pain and his legs to stumble.\n\n\tQuickly, Maximar ran forward with his no-dachi held by his side. Grathara thought to himself as he turned, raising his lance’s shaft perpendicularly to the Accipiterran’s incoming, spinning overhead slash, It appeared that the Lupani’s luck had run out, as Maximar’s blade smashed into the lance and shattered the weapon in two, the katana blade following through and making a very deep, diagonal slash down his fat chest and belly. Coughing up blood from his muzzle, the sergeant grabbed at his stomach, trying to keep any of his vital organs from spilling out, gurgling, “N… no…” The pain was unbearable, forcing him to drop to his knees.\n\n\tBlaise looked to Pharstis, “…How about you show me your big guns, cousin? I’m curious to see just how destructive this magic stuff of yours is.”\n\n\tGrathara’s eyes widened as Pharstis started to trace runes into the air in front of her. She nodded to Blaise’s request, “With pleasure…” Her voice started to chant… voice echoing with power as her eyes glowed white, “Oh, Serathia… Blessed Mother of Light herself…”\n\n\tA ring of golden light started forming around the incapacitated Grathara, whimpering and still coughing up blood. Pharstis continued, starting to weave more runes through the air, “…I summon thine radiant lance…” Motes of light started to drift up from the ring… “…to purify this forsaken soul…” With a vertical thrust of her left handtalon into the air, she screeched triumphantly, “DAZZLING RAY!!!”\n\n\tIn an instant, the ring of light erupted into a large, vertical beam of searing light, only the silhouette of the sergeant seen atomizing into nothingness in a matter of a few seconds… The final sound that came from him was an agonized howl as the beam faded into a flurry of light motes that snowed towards the ground. All that remained of Grathara was a messy smear of black cinders.\n\n\tBlaise just stared at the display, then once the leader of the Bloodmoons was made into ash, he turned to applaud for his cousin, “…Hot damn. Maybe if I can ever get a hold of controlling that aetherea stuff, I can do cool shit like that.”\n\n\tPharstis’s eyes lost their glow as she looked to Blaise, smiling faintly, “Perhaps… Perhaps not. It all depends on the aptitude and drive of the user.”\n\n\tKalira sighed in a bit of relief, slinging her longrifle over her shoulder, “Well… That’s enough excitement for today, I think.\n\n\tMaximar nodded as she sheathed his no-dachi, “Agreed…”\n\n\tBlaise chuckled, then tapped his chest for his communicator, but then he realized something… it wasn’t there. He looked down and winced, noticing that it was fried from the shot he took a few minutes ago in the shoulder, “Son of a bitch… Looks like we’re cut off from contacting home base.”\n\n\tKalira shook her head, “Just be happy it was only the radio. We’ll be ok, Blaise.’\n\n\tThe Captain nodded, looking on to the cavern ahead, “…Right. So, Qes’trhal Bay is just past this cavern, huh?”\n\n\tPharstis nodded, “That’s correct. The tunnel leads down back to sea level and comes out about a mile southeast of the city.”\n\n\tMaximar hmmmed, “Sounds simple enough… Shall we get a move on, then?”\n\n\tBlaise nodded, “Yeah… let’s. We’re already behind schedule on things.”\n\n\tWith that said, the group made their way into the descending tunnel to continue on their way to Qes’trahl Bay.\n\nChapter 14: The Descent to Qes’trahl Bay\n\n\tAfter a short bout of healing their wounds and resting up, the voyage for Qes’trahl Bay continued. The descent through the northern tunnel was rather uneventful… well… at least in the sense of danger. The group of Blaise, Kalira, Maximar, and Pharstis were split up between the guys and the girls, with the two pairs speaking about random things, yet the girls… were being much more mundane in their conversation with each other and lagging behind Blaise and Maximar. On the other hand, the males’ conversation was just getting interesting…\n\n\tBlaise glanced to Maximar, “You know, Max…”\n\n\tThe avian glanced over, “Hmm?”\n\n\t“I still think you’re hiding something… about you and Kalira…”\n\n\tMaximar’s eyes went wide, “Wh… wha?”\n\n\tBlaise only grinned at him, “What REALLY went on with Kali’s tour, huh?”\n\n\t“Ok… Ok… I’ll be honest. The tour was really uneventful…”\n\n\t“Pfft… honest, huh? The way you’re acting—“\n\n\tMaximar muttered, “Will you let me finish, Blaise?”\n\n\tThe Captain beamed to the Accipiterran, “Sure, sure… finish away.”\n\n\tThe avian cleared his throat, taking a deep breath, “Well… after it was done, I figured that I would go to the lockers to take a shower. The one thing that Kalira forgot to tell me was… umm…”\n\n\tBlaise blinked a bit, then peered closely at the warrior, gesturing with a hand to keep it going, “Uh huh, uh huh… C’mon, Max. Get a move on…”\n\n\t“The showers at your base were co-ed… I’m relaxing under the water with my eyes closed, then when I open them… There’s Kalira… Naked in the shower across from me and smiling as if it was completely normal.”\n\n\tBlaise blinked again, just staring at Maximar, “…Naked?”\n\n\t“…Naked.”\n\n\t“…You’re sure of this?”\n\n\t“THEY were staring me right in the face…”\n\n\tBlaise stopped for a second, in which Maximar did as well. There was pure silence between the two of them, until the former finally spoke up, “They…? W… wow.” What he really wanted to say was, \n\n\tIt wasn’t long until they started moving again, Maximar chuckling, albeit a tad bashfully, “Yeah… Wow is probably a good word to label that encounter.” He then tilted his head, “I’m wondering though, Blaise… What do you think about Kalira?”\n\n\tBlaise blinked, “…What do I think about her?”\n\n\t“Well… Yeah. The two of you seem to have a bit of a bond, even if it gets a bit… rickety from what I saw.”\n\n\tThe human shrugged, “What can I say? I mean, I grew up with her for pretty much all my life, so in all truth, I care about her a lot. I mean… Back in Taelyn Pass, when that huge mutant wolf came down and hammered Kalira hard… I feared for the worst.”\n\n\t“I think that’s a good bond, indeed, Blaise. Are you going to be ok?”\n\n\t“…What do you mean, am I going to be ok?”\n\n\t“Well, if what Pharstis says is true… that your mother is alive as she says… What do you think you’ll do if you see her?”\n\n\tBlaise looked down, “Honestly, Max… I don’t know. I’m trying to think and I can’t give a good answer to you. I mean… I’ve lived my life thinking she’s been dead ever since I was born, and now here I am, nervous as all hell… and clueless on what to say to her.”\n\n\tMaximar tilted his head, reaching over and patting him on the shoulder, “I think when the time comes, you’ll find the right words.”\n\n\tBlaise glanced to the Accipiterran, smiling as best as he could, “…I hope so.”\n\n\tIt wasn’t long until the group finally started to arrive at the tunnel’s end, stepping out at the top of a small plateau overlooking a grand city resting to the northwest on the crystal-blue, ocean coast. Pharstis pointed out to the city, “There it is, the capital of Raptayvia, Qes’trahl Bay.” The setting sun to the west over the water spread its golden light over the city’s windows, making its tallest buildings gleam like gold as they stood high over the earth.\n\n\tKalira stepped forward with a purr, “Wow… That view’s something else.”\n\n\tBlaise quietly stared at the city for a moment before he started to continue on down the trail descending the northern face of the Strigidian Mountains, “…We need to keep moving. We’ve already been held up enough as it is.”\n\n\tMaximar hmmmed, “…Blaise is right. If it wasn’t for that run-in with that Bloodmoon Lance, we would’ve been in Qes’trahl Bay hours ago. Not only do we have to meet up with your brother, Pharstis, but if Commander Sol’ryas is also there, I need to make my report on the rebel incident back in Taelyn Pass.”\n\n\tPharstis pushed her glasses up on her beak’s bridge a bit, turning to face the others, “…I suppose that’s the best course of action then.”\n\n\t\n\nThe group started to push on, but they didn’t realize that a figure was watching them from a ledge high above the tunnel’s entrance. The figure was a lithe one and had the look of a humanoid phoenix, hued with deep red feathers with gold running down her throat and presumably her front as it disappeared into her loose, white, sleeveless tunic and shorts. A long crest of gold feather-like hair tied in a ponytail ran down her back and her long tailfeathers gently shimmered like flame. She watched the four continue down on their way, eyes locked on Maximar, Her gaze followed the others then, Eventually, her eyes fell on Blaise especially, seeing the logo on his shoulder, <…That insignia. They’re part of Gryphon Squadron, huh? I wonder what’s going on.> The firebird moved along, keeping out of sight of the others.\n\nBlaise was leading along, hands in his pockets and mainly seeming relaxed in general, “So, Pharstis… Where exactly are the Ver’dahnti stationed in Qes’trahl Bay?”\n\nThe Phecipiterran looked to her cousin, “Well, Blaise… They’re all over the city, working as the guards, but their headquarters are in, believe it or not, the park in the center.”\n\nBlaise raised a bit of an eyebrow, “…The park? So what are these guys, forest rangers or something?”\n\nPharstis smirked lightly, “For lack of a better term, yes. They’re druidic warriors who make themselves one with Accipiterra’s nature.”\n\nBlaise blinked, then formed a light smirk, “So what you’re saying is that they’re tree huggers.” He then winced, “Oh damn it all to hell… I really hope they don’t hold all the wolf killing in Taelyn Pass against me.”\n\nBlaise’s cousin just stared at him blankly, slapping herself on the head with her talon’s palm, “Wh… wha? NO! They are NOT tree huggers!”\n\nThe human snickered, “Oh, lighten up, cousin… I’m kidding, I’m kidding…”\n\nThe stalking firebird continued to watch with a blank expression, raising an eyebrow, <…Well this Blaise certainly doesn’t have much tact.> Blaise’s last words made her suddenly blink in confusion though, Her confusion dissolved into disbelief, The avian’s shadowing of the group’s descent down the path stopped for now, leaning her back against the face of the cliff, “It’s him… It’s really him…”\n\nChapter 15: The Fateful Meeting\n\nAt last, Blaise and the others set foot towards the front gates of Qes’trahl Bay under the light of the full moon, with two of the Ver’dahnti standing guard. Seeing the approaching group, one of the guards, an older russet-furred male Vulpani stepped forward, “Wait up… Who goes there?”\n\nBlaise blinked, then crossed his arms, “Hey now… Surely you’ve heard about us coming.” He thumbed back to Maximar and Pharstis, “First of all, you should know these two, considering this is their hometown.”\n\nThe other Ver’dahnti, a female panther-like Felidari much younger than the Vulpani, looked the avians over, nodding, “The stranger speaks the truth, Tharon. Pharstis helps teach the children here during the week and Maximar’s her neighbor since birth.” The panthress looked the two Union troopers over and purred, “And I’m going to assume the two of you were the ones sent from Hau’khaven to help us investigate the strange behavior of the wildlife in Syl’phedar Forest.”\n\nKalira nodded, “That’s right, ma’am. I’m Lieutenant Kalira RaLunara and my partner here is my captain, Blaise O’Driscoll. Active team of Gryphon Squadron…”\n\nThe panthress nodded with a smile, purring, “Well met, then. You can call me Lunara. Our headquarters are closed for the moment for business due to the late hours, not to mention that Pharstis’s brother is still out with some others fighting some of the hostile creatures now. Besides, you’re probably in need of a rest after heading through the Strigidians.”\n\nBlaise scoffed, “You don’t know the half of it, Lunara… We were held up along the way.”\n\nLunara tilted her head, “More animals going mad?”\n\n“Try coming up against soldiers from our own organization that apparently had orders to kill us.”\n\nThe panthress raised an eyebrow, “…Union troops? That’s highly unusual…”\n\nBlaise rolled his eyes, “Yeah… you think?”\n\nTharon glared at Blaise, “You could show a bit more respect, boy.”\n\nBlaise looked right back at the Vulpani, “And I think you could s—“\n\nKalira grabbed Blaise by the shoulder and pulled him back, “Blaise… it’s not worth it. We’re supposed to help them, not pick a fight…” She giggled a bit uneasily, moving in front of Blaise, “Don’t mind him… Blaise tends to get a bit irritable, especially when unexpected roadblocks get in our way.” The Captain grumbled under his breath, something about not minding one more little scuffle with a crotchety old fox.\n\nLunara couldn’t help a little smirk, “Understandable… The Ver’dahnti have reserved a room at the inn for you, so you can get some rest for the meeting tomorrow.”\n\nMaximar was already starting to walk in ahead as Pharstis came over and grabbed Blaise by his other shoulder. She nodded, “If you don’t mind, I would like to attend the meeting as well.”\n\nThe pantheress nodded, “Of course, Pharstis. Please, don’t let us hold you up…”\n\nThe avian nodded, then looked to Kalira, “Let’s go, before my dear cousin decides to let his hair trigger off again and cause trouble.”\n\nKalira only smirked as they started to drag Blaise along, “Right…”\n\nA few hours passed, and the group checked into the Bueni Somnus Inn at which the Ver’dahnti placed their reservation, and it wasn’t long before everyone was fast asleep… Well… Almost everyone. As quietly as can be, Blaise, dressed only in his white undershirt and red camos, woke up from the couch he was resting on in the suite and sighed, “…I need to take a walk or something. I can’t sleep at all.” He looked around before getting up and pulling his jacket on as he went slipping out of the room, “…Sure they won’t mind if I just go down to the inn’s pub and grab a drink.” Much to his surprise, he seemed to be stealthy enough to get out without even the usually-alert Kalira stirring from her sleep.\n\nWithin a few minutes, he left the elevator in the lobby and moved into the pub, heading right for the stools at the bar to take a seat. Considering the clock on the wall displayed a rather late hour, it was needless to say that the pub was quite empty, aside from the bartender behind the counter, a rather elderly, plump Accipiterran of the snow owl variety. The bartender glanced up to the sitting Captain and nodded his head to him, “Hey, kid… It’s not often that I get a customer this late… or early for that matter. Everything ok?”\n\nBlaise glanced up to the bartender, shaking his head, “Don’t worry about me… I’m fine, aside from the fact I can’t sleep.”\n\nThe owl chuckled, “Just from the tone of your voice, I’m sure there’s something that’s causing it…” He regarded Blaise’s outfit, then hmmmed, “Mission got you on edge?”\n\n“Not really… Missions hardly ever bother me, it’s just that I’ve kinda been thinking about someone.”\n\nSuddenly, another voice, with a accent similar to British, was heard… a beautiful female one to be exact, “I suppose something like that can be troubling, yes… Someone you hold dear to your heart?”\n\nAs Blaise looked over his shoulder, he saw the firebird that was covertly stalking him and the others during their descent of the Strigidians. He raised an eyebrow, expression blank, “Yeah… Maybe… But it’s really not any of your business, lady. I’ll share what I want to share.”\n\nShe started to step towards the bar, her body carrying an uncanny grace with each step. Quickly, the bartender lowered his head in a very respectful manner, “Milady Solra’vir… You’re here at an odd hour. Would you like your usual?”\n\nThe Solra’vir smiled to the owl, nodded, “Please, Rayquas… I would appreciate it, and put whatever the young man orders to drink on my tab.” With that said, she sat in the stool right beside Blaise, looking to him, still offering the same smile she gave to the bartender, “Fair enough… I will not dig in any deeper than you wish.”\n\nBlaise glanced her over a bit, <…Good lord, she’s hot.> Almost TOO long… She wasn’t exactly stacked like Kalira in the curves department, but she definitely beat out Pharstis’ much more modest build. It was almost as if she was crafted by Solravis himself… Pure perfection.\n\nThat only made her smirk, resting her head on her talon propped up on an elbow, “You act like you’ve never seen a Phedarian before, young one…”\n\nBlaise blinked, snapping out of his revelry, “H… huh? Oh… No… Actually, you’re really the first one I’ve ever been up close to.”\n\nThe Phedarian smiled, “…I see. So…” Her eyes looked at the gryphon insignia on his shoulder, then back to him, “Gryphon Squadron, hmm? Best of the best, from what I know…”\n\nBlaise shrugged, “Maybe, I guess…”\n\nRayquas peered at the Captain, as he prepared the Phedarian’s beverage, a tall glass with a deep lavender liquid in it, “Hey, kid… You going to order anything? She IS paying for you, you know…” He pulled out a match and after lighting it, he ran it quickly over the drink, and in a flash, the surface of the drink erupted into a blue flame.\n\nBlaise jumped a bit at the burst of heat that bellowed from the drink, then looked at him, “Um… I think I’ll just have a normal beer, if that’s ok. I’m not so big on giving my digestive tract third-degree burns.”\n\nRayquas nodded, setting down the Phedarian’s drink and moving to get Blaise’s order.\n\n“Mmmm…” sounded the firebird, who sipped a good bit down of the fiery liquid, looking to Blaise again, “I’m curious as to why you’re here… Whenever Gryphon Squadron’s dispatched, there’s always something big going down.”\n\nBlaise looked to her, “It’s a pretty long story…”\n\nShe simply smiled back to him, “I have the time… That is if you’re willing to share.”\n\nHe took a deep breath, the owl finally serving him a mug of beer, “Well… Ok… It all started when my lieutenant, Kalira, and I were dispatched to Taelyn Pass to deal with a rebel uprising threatening Hau’khaven…”\n\nA few minutes and sips of drinks later, Blaise was coming up on the tail end of the story, “…so, we eliminated the apparent traitor unit after a pretty lengthy skirmish and finally made it here.”\n\nThe Phedarian nodded, having finished her own drink and pushing the glass to the side, “So you had to deal with the strange hostility that’s been growing in the animals around lately… and you have reason to believe that this traitor unit you’ve faced was behind it?”\n\nBlaise nodded, “Kalira wouldn’t lie about what she heard the soldiers talking about, plus we’ve dealt with animals that were highly mutated through what our military labs have suggested that it’s being caused by nanotech drones that inject something into the creatures to enhance their size and strength, let alone their aggressiveness.” He sipped at the last of the contents in his mug, then looked to her.\n\n“…There used to be a top secret project about 25 years ago being undertaken by the Galactic Union that involved using nanotechnology for enhancement, but last I remember, something went wrong in the lab and the project was reported destroyed,” noted the Phedarian. “I’m wondering if there would be some sort of link, considering you’ve said that this Fenrir Squadron was talking about injecting creatures with something.” She then sighed, slowly pushing herself up from the table, “It’s late, young man… I should get going and get some rest before the sun comes up. I suggest you do the same.”\n\nBlaise looked up to her curiously, “…A lost project, huh? Hmmm… Well… thanks for the drink, lady.”\n\nShe nodded with a smile, putting her gald down on the counter to pay the tab, then patted him on the shoulder, starting to walk out quickly, “Stay safe, Captain… I hope we shall meet again soon.”\n\nUpon the touch on Blaise’s shoulder, his body went tense, his mind suddenly filled with a warmth and exploded into a rapid flood of memories… ones that he could hardly remember due to being too young... \n\n Blaise found himself standing in a large hall, the air foggy all throughout as he wandered forward, “…Hello?! Is… anyone here?” His movement brought him to see the Phedarian woman he was just sitting with at the bar, covered in a blanket, looking much younger. Blaise could see his father standing there, a man with a shaved head and an eyepatch over his right eye and a goatee on his chin, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, and looking younger just like the Phedarian. It appeared that she was being attended to another Phedarian, male with golden feathers, dressed along the lines of a physician.\n\nThe physician chirped, his hands between the woman’s legs, “Now push, Lady Destany!”\n\nWith a scream, this Destany arched her back, panting with teary eyes, holding onto the hand of Drake with hers.\n\nDrake enveloped her hand with his other free one, “C’mon, hon… You’re doing fine…”\n\nBlaise blinked, calling out, “Father?! Who is this? What’s going on?!”\n\nBut Blaise’s questions went unheeded, as if he wasn’t even there. The physician nodded, “Good… The child is crowning… Give another good push and he should be out…”\n\nDrake smiled, patting the back of the Phedarian woman’s hand, “Almost, hon… Almost…”\n\nOnce again… “Now push!”\n\nWith one more screeching scream, another voice was heard, the voice of a baby crying. The physician was holding a human child, which he handed over into the mother’s arms, “It’s a baby boy, Lady Destany… Congratulations…”\n\nDrake was brimming with pride, “So… what’re we going to call him, Des?”\n\nDestany cradled the newborn in her arms, nuzzling him with her beak, obviously exhausted from the exertion of childbirth, “…Blaise. Let’s call him Blaise.”\n\nBlaise’s eyes went wide, “Wh… what? B… Blaise?! Then that would mean…”\n\nBlaise jolted awake from the vision, looking around and shivering, “…No… Where did…?” He quickly looked to the bartender, “S… Sir… Where did…?” Then a thought hit him in the head, <…Wait. Oh damn it… I was mentally hitting on my mother?!? AUGH!!>\n\nThe owl shrugged, cleaning the glasses with a towel, “Who? Lady Sol’ryas? She already left… plus it almost seemed as if you just zoned out for a bit there.”\n\nBlaise shook his head, then ran out of the pub, looking in all directions in the lobby, “Mom? MOM!!” But she was no longer there… It was almost as if she was a ghost. The Captain closed his eyes, clenching his hands into fists, “…Damn it. No… That… That was her…”\n\n\tDestany’s departure was quite the swift one, as she already reached the fields outside of Qes’trahl Bay, laying back in the grass and staring up to the starry night sky and letting out a low, somewhat sad sigh.\n\n\tMoments later, a mote of light about the size of a basketball materialized nearby, hovering over her head. The sphere emitted a female voice with a very serene tone, “Mistress… You are torn, are you not?”\n\n\tDestany nodded as she sat up, looking up to the mote, “…Yes, Serathia. Part of me wants to respect His Radiance’s wishes, but…”\n\n\tThe light sphere hovered gently in front of her face a few feet away, “…But, you want to be together with your son again, even if it means defiance.”\n\n\t“…Yes. He said that I am forbidden to be reunited with him, but… It’s too difficult. Especially after tonight, seeing him for the very first time since he was only a newborn.”\n\n\tA sigh echoed from mote of light, “…I understand. My father is too adamant on things, but…”\n\n\tDestany chirped quietly, “…But what, Serathia?”\n\n\t“Before you decide to do anything, keep in mind that direct defiance can result in severe punishment, Mistress.”\n\n\tThe Solra’vir’s eyes closed, “The life I’ve been living, separated from Blaise, is punishment enough, Serathia. I can’t make any promises that I won’t do something foolish.”\n\n\t“…The sire of your child truly rubbed off on you since the day you’ve met him.”\n\n\tDestany could only smile faintly at that, “…Maybe so… Maybe so. He’s like his father though… He’s working to help people, even if he IS a little coarse in his manners.”\n\n\tSerathia went silent for a few moments, before stating, “…A person’s actions are not predetermined, but chosen by free will. The one belief in which would go against my father’s fears on your son, but it is not one he’d so easily follow, considering what happened millennia ago, when the decree made by him and Tal’vora was not followed.”\n\n\tThe Solra’vir shook her head, “…My son will not do anything to endanger this world. Please, Serathia… You have to trust me on this.”\n\n\tSerathia’s avatar when silent at that, then stated, “…I hope you’re right. And for your sake, I really hope you think through your actions.”\n\n\tMeanwhile, back at the suite, Kalira had woke up, noticing that Blaise was gone out of the room. She was only dressed in her tight, green tube top and black boxers as she got out of bed, moving towards the door and opening it… Only to see Blaise standing there, exclaiming in a hushed tone and a stern expression, “Blaise! Why aren’t you asleep on the couch?! Do you even know what time it… is…?” The serious, scolding look on her face quickly dissolved, seeing that Blaise had tears running down his face and his eyes shut. The Felidari shook her head, moving to hug him, “…Blaise…? What… What happened?”\n\n\tBlaise was sobbing, resting his head on Kalira’s shoulder, making her fur damp with his tears, “M… My mother… I… I met her in the bar… I didn’t realize it… until she was gone.”\n\n\tKalira frowned, shaking her head, “Shhh… It’s ok, Blaise… It’s ok… Tell me what happened.” She was really concerned for her best friend... for this was the first time he broke down with his emotions… ever. \n\nChapter 16: The Mystery of Blaise’s Existence\n\n\tKalira and Blaise were in her bedroom in the suite, the pair of them sitting on the side of the bed. Kalira had an arm around Blaise’s shoulder, purring soothingly to him, “…So you’re saying that you… witnessed yourself being born…”\n\n\tBlaise nodded, tears no longer running down his face, but his eyes were definitely puffy and red from all of it, “Yeah… It… It happened when she touched me on the shoulder as she left. It triggered that soul link thing that Pharstis did with me back at Butea Piedmont, only this one was extremely powerful.”\n\n\t“Enough to bring back the memory of one thing that’s almost impossible for any of us to remember… Being born.”\n\n\tBlaise nodded again, looking down at his lap, “She’s alive… I know it. She gave me life, and afterwards, was totally alive… and cradling me. She… never died just after I was born.”\n\n\tKalira hmmmed, “Something’s not adding up then… Your father said that she died, but here you are, in such emotional trauma after running into this Phedarian woman who triggered the memory of your birth from the touch of your shoulder.” She looked a bit… skeptical, but she wasn’t ready to just brush it aside, adding, “What I don’t get is… Why would your father lie to you about the truth?”\n\n\tAnother voice cut in before Blaise could answer… It was Pharstis, “Perhaps he is protecting you, Blaise… Your mother has always spoken about you.”\n\n\tBlaise stared at his cousin, “…She did? Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?!”\n\n\tPharstis shrugged, “Perhaps because I felt you wouldn’t believe me.”\n\n\tKalira frowned at Pharstis, “…You know something, don’t you?”\n\n\tThe Phecipiterran nodded, “I know that Blaise is forbidden to go to Sancta Solaryon.”\n\n\tBlaise and Kalira looked to each other, then back to Pharstis, almost speaking in stereo, “…Sancta Solaryon?”\n\n\t“Yes… the first and only remaining city of the Phedarians, home to the Radiant One, Solravis.”\n\n\tKalira raised an eyebrow, “…Wait, the home of Solravis? But I thought he is a god.”\n\n\tPharstis only smirked lightly, “Indeed he is, Kalira… and he lives among his children in the city as their ruler.”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “…A god living with mortals. I find that hard to swallow.”\n\n\t“Understandable… He doesn’t actively rule, but he is, by far, the supreme leader of this world’s affairs, and your mother said that he stated you are a threat to this world…”\n\n\tBlaise’s eyes widened, “…A threat? But why?”\n\n\tPharstis shook her head, “Your mother never went into much detail about it…”\n\n\tBlaise sighed, holding his head, “…I should’ve never woken up to go down to that bar so late. Now I’ve got a damn splitting headache.”\n\n\tKalira gently pushed Blaise down onto his back, “Then sleep, Blaise…”\n\n\t“B… but what about the briefing?” asked Blaise.\n\n\tKalira offered him a reassuring smile, “You shouldn’t go if you’re not feeling well, and besides… considering you didn’t sleep last night, you’d probably start to snore in the middle of it.”\n\n\tPharstis chuckled weakly, “…Kalira is right. I really don’t think my older brother would appreciate someone sleeping during the briefing anyway.” She started to head out, “…I’ll need to wake Maximar. The two of us will meet you outside of the inn, ok, Kalira?”\n\n\tKalira nodded, “Sure. I’ll only be a few minutes.” Pharstis nodded and left, then Kalira turned to look to Blaise again, laying on her side next to him, “…Are you going to be ok?”\n\n\tBlaise closed his eyes, “…Maybe. I don’t know. I guess I just have a lot of questions on my mind now… Don’t let me hold you up, Kali. I’m sure I’ll be ok with some sleep.”\n\n\tThe Felidari smiled lightly, “…Ok. I’ll let you know what’s going on once we get back.”\n\n\tBlaise shifted to get himself comfortable, “Yeah… Sure, Kali.”\n\n\tKalira sighed, then started to slip out, grabbing her things along the way.\n\n\tMorning finally came, and Maximar and Pharstis weren’t waiting long for Kalira to finally come out, but Kalira seemed to carry a less-than-common grim expression on her face. The ranger looked to Maximar, “…Max, hon? Do you think you could move on ahead and let the Ver’dahnti know we’re on our way? I need to talk to Pharstis about something.”\n\n\tMaximar blinked a little, but nodded, seeming to catch a look from Kalira as if she meant it, “Ok… Sure.” The warrior made his way off to inform the Ver’dahnti that they were on their way.\n\n\tPharstis tilted her head, fixing her glasses lightly with her handtalon, “What is it, Kalira? I’m guessing you have a lot on your mind…”\n\n\tKalira growled quietly, “You’re damn right, I do, Pharstis… I have a feeling that you’re letting off much less than what you really know.”\n\n\tPharstis hmmmed, “You mean about Blaise?”\n\n\t“Who else would I be talking about?”\n\n\t“…Good point.” Pharstis looked over her shoulder, then back to Kalira, “How about we talk while we head to the Ver’dahnti headquarters?”\n\n\tKalira put her hands on her hips, then sighed, starting to pad along with Pharstis, “So you said that… Blaise has been labeled a threat?”\n\n\tPharstis shook her head, not looking at the Felidari, “Kalira, I told you that my aunt never went into much detail about it. If I knew about it, I would be glad to share, but I’m afraid I don’t have the knowledge you seek.”\n\n\t“Not even a hunch?”\n\n\t“Well, it might be related to this one ancient prophecy foretold upon the end of the Celestial Cataclysm… but I don’t have much faith in that.”\n\n\tKalira tilted her head, “…The Celestial Cataclysm?”\n\n\t“Ah… so they don’t teach about that at your Academy, do they?” said Pharstis, a smirk forming on her beak as she glanced to Kalira, “I think I’ll tell you more once Blaise is with us again after the meeting. It wouldn’t be right for him to miss out on this.”\n\n\tKalira shook her head, “No, Pharstis… The Academy really only tells of history mostly relevant to the Galactic Union.”\n\n\tPharstis quietly chuckled, “I think your Union needs to realize that the history that they know of is not the only important information there is… Oh well, I guess they just haven’t compiled our history in their own yet…” She shrugged, “Don’t think I’m hiding anything from you. It’s just I don’t want to construct facts that aren’t completely true…”\n\n\tKalira nodded slowly, “I understand… I’m sorry if I seemed a bit threatening for a moment.”\n\n\t“Oh, not to worry, Kalira… You care for Blaise and that’s something admirable,” noted Pharstis, who grinned a little at the ranger, “It’s a shame he still hasn’t learned much in the way of manners though, with someone as level-headed as you being with him as a friend…”\n\n\tKalira shook her head, “He’ll snap out of it eventually… someday. I’m sure of it.”\n\n\t“Hmmm… perhaps you’re right…”\n\nChapter 17: Bad Developments\n\n\tFinally, the group was assembled in the meeting hall of the Ver’dahnti headquarters, with Maximar, Kalira, and Pharstis all sitting side by side at a round table within a rather arcanely designed circular room. A few of the Ver’dahnti were standing guard by the only exit of the chamber, and things seemed a bit off… particularly for Pharstis.\n\n\tThe Phecipiterran sorceress tapped her talon’s fingers on the table, “I don’t like this… It’s unlike my older brother to be late to something important…”\n\n\tMaximar looked over to Pharstis, “You don’t suppose something happened, do you?”\n\n\tKalira shook her head, “I wouldn’t worry about it too much, I think. He’ll be here…”\n\n\tA few moments later, the guards stepped aside, and Lunara, the Felidari woman from the gates, came wandering in, taking a seat across from the trio, “Good morning…” She looked around curiously, noticing that one was missing, “Where’s Captain O’Driscoll?”\n\n\tKalira chimed in at that, “He felt that he didn’t get enough rest from our hostilities in, so I told him to keep resting and I’d inform him of the situation later.”\n\n\tThe panthress nodded, “I see… I hope he’ll be ok.”\n\n\tKalira giggled slightly, the tone a bit uneasy, “…Yeah. Stress can be hard on him sometimes.”\n\n\tMaximar looked around as a few more Ver’dahnti entered the hall. Blinking, he then looked to Lunara, “Where is Commander Sha’dravyn?”\n\n\tLunara frowned, “…He has gone missing. We expected him to be back since yesterday, but he never arrived.”\n\n\tPharstis grimaced at the news, “The only times that brother was ever late was that something important came up. This has to be no exception.”\n\n\tThe panthress nodded, “You’re right… Last I spoke to him, he said that the animals were apparently coming from the vicinity of the Ancient Reliquary in Syl’phedar Forest.”\n\n\tMaximar tilted his head, “…You mean those Phedarian ruins? Hmm… It sounds like as if someone’s trying to make it look like the wrath of Solravis is turning on them, if the main source appears to be there.”\n\n\tKalira looked to Maximar, then nodded, “That someone being Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron, most likely…”\n\n\tLunara peered at her fellow Felidari woman, “Someone you know?”\n\n\tKalira nodded with a bit of a growl, “All too well… Lunara, you all stay back and keep in touch. We’ll head to this Reliquary place and put an end to this problem.”\n\n\tLunara blinked, “…Just you three alone?”\n\n\t“Along with Blaise, yes. You see, Blaise and I have a bit of bad blood with the Colonel, so consider this a bit of a grudge.”\n\n\tThe Ver’dahnti started to murmur among each other… sounding rather perturbed by Kalira’s vendetta-laced words, but Lunara raised a handpaw, “Quiet! …If that’s what you want, Lieutenant, then so be it. Are you sure you can do it alone?”\n\n\t“We’ll do it, along with making sure that your leader and any survivors come back home safe.”\n\n\tLunara could only smile and chuckle some at that, “Nice to see such confidence then… Just don’t be afraid to call for help if needed.”\n\n\tKalira giggled, “Oh don’t worry… We like danger, but we’re not stupid.”\n\n\tPharstis fiddled lightly with her glasses, looking to Lunara, “Did my brother say anything that there was any trouble?” The Phecipiterran looked uneasy, wondering if Shadorn was hurt… or worse.\n\n\tLunara looked to her, shaking her head, “No. You know how he is though, if he finds that something’s getting out of control…”\n\n\tPharstis nodded, presumably finishing off Lunara’s statement, “…He always sends a message for help.”\n\n\tLunara looked to Kalira again, “About your comment on this Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron…”\n\n\tThe tigress tilted her head, “Yes?”\n\n\tLunara slid over a few pictures to Kalira, “Our scouts managed to get some surveillance and noticed some Union troops in Syl’Phedar Forest. Is anything familiar in these?”\n\n\tKalira looked them over, and within seconds, a deep growl was forming in her throat and chest as she saw Union troopers, all Lupani, standing over a few dead Ver’dahnti. She could clearly see the insignia on the troopers’ shoulder pads: the image of a black wolf with a blood red eye, mouth wide open and biting down around the sun. She murmured, “…That’s definitely Fenrir Squadron.” She continued to look over the pictures, then froze, feeling a cold chill run down her spine. On the last photo, there was a silver Vulpani with a raw build of muscle dressed in a black trenchcoat, but the main thing that stood out on him was the right side of his face. There was a complete set of metal plating on the upper right hemisphere of his head, complete with a bionic eye and mechanical ear receptor. Kalira didn’t realize it, but her handpaw gripped and crumpled the photo into a ball, her voice hissing with bile and hatred, “No doubt about it… That’s Colonel Verenz Karazor. I swear… once I get my paws on him, I’m going to—“\n\n\tMaximar put a talon on her shoulder, “Kalira… calm down. Save your anger for the battlefield. It’s not like you to act like this.”\n\n\tKalira closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to try and calm her rage, but her voice was still brimming with hatred, “…Yeah. Come on. Let’s go get Blaise so we can find Pharstis’s brother and deal with this fleabag…” It wasn’t long that Kalira got up from her seat and stormed out of the hall, with Maximar and Pharstis following behind her quickly.\n\n\tKalira was walking at a brisk pace for the inn, when Maximar and Pharstis finally caught up to the tigress, the former chirping, “Kalira! Wait up!”\n\n\tKalira stopped and turned around the face the avian pair, “What is it? The more we wait, the less chance we might have finding Commander Sha’dravyn and stopping the colonel…”\n\n\tPharstis frowned, “Kalira… if I may be frank… You’re starting to act like Blaise, rushing head first into things without much thought. One of these days, it’s going to get you… or him killed. There must be some major reason why you want to go after this Colonel Karazor so much. As much as I worry for my brother, I’m sure he’s fine, considering his resourcefulness.”\n\n\tKalira clenched her handpaws into fists and looked down, “Back when we were in the Academy, Colonel Karazor was the one professor you didn’t want. Full of himself, always looking to pick a fight with those he didn’t like, and sometimes trying to make a move on the female cadets.”\n\n\tMaximar raised an eyebrow, “Sounds like a real lecherous fool…”\n\n\t“You don’t know the half of it… On the other hand, he was extremely efficient in what he taught: Marksmanship. He was the top firearms-user in the entire Union, and held many records in targeting competitions for about 20 years straight… That is until I came along.” Kalira sighed, putting her arms behind her back and looking up to the sky, “On my Freshman year, I managed to tie all of his records… Sophomore year? Smashed them into dust… Let’s just say that the colonel was less than pleased with the outcome of me, his top student, managing to upstage him on everything that he accomplished.”\n\n\tPharstis nodded, “Hmmm… A bitter old fox indeed.”\n\n\tKalira growled, “I’m not done yet. After the awards ceremony, Colonel Karazor asked to meet with me in his office, saying that he wished to honor my victory personally in privacy.” She sighed, “Being the gullible young girl I was, I went to visit him. It wasn’t long after that I entered that he made an advance on me and backhanded me across the face.” Maximar and Pharstis’s eyes widened in both shock and anger, but the Felidari continued, “Naturally, I began to protect myself, and I remember him saying this: You took away something important from me, so I think I’m going to take something away from you that you’ll never get back. Next thing I knew, he pressed me against the wall and started to try ripping off my clothing… At that time, I understood what he meant. He was going to rape me…”\n\n\tPharstis gasped, “…The monster. I—“\n\n\t“The Colonel never got the chance, a few seconds when he started to try and disrobe me, I heard the door kick down and Blaise ran in. Seeing what was happening… I never saw Blaise do what he did then. His eyes went a blank white and the air around him was flaring with heat. Colonel Karazor let me go and lunged for Blaise, which was the biggest mistake he ever made. I was starting to feel faint from the blow I took from the Colonel, and before I passed out, I just remember hearing a howl of pain and seeing a white flash of flame explode out of the upper right quadrant of the bastard’s face.”\n\n\tPharstis raised an eyebrow, “…And Blaise said he doesn’t know how to use his aetherea. I can gather that the blaze that burst out of your dear friend’s face could only be caused by the use of aetherea.”\n\n\tKalira sighed, “It was the only time I’ve ever known him to use it. Seeing him like that… It really frightened me for that short moment before I passed out.”\n\n\tMaximar crossed his arms, “What ever came from the Colonel after that? Surely he didn’t get away with it.”\n\n\tThe Felidari shook her head, “Absolutely not… A tribunal found him guilty of assault of a student, and attempted statutory rape, which was meant to lock him up for good.”\n\n\tPharstis huffed, “Well, obviously someone broke him out of jail…”\n\n\t“Actually, no, Pharstis,” stated Kalira. “As a bargain, he was apparently released early from jail with a deal made by the higher-ups of the Galactic Union.” She frowned, shaking her head, “As much as I hate to say it, they saw him as a great disciplinarian, so while he’s still under his sentence, which should last the rest of his life, he’s the warden of Twy’kruss Penitentary in Jaminecia. Keeps him in jail, but at the same time, makes him ‘useful’ to the Union.”\n\n\tPharstis scoffed, “More like shows how corrupt leaders can be…”\n\n\tKalira nodded, “I suppose so… If Karazor is out and about of his prison, then he most likely found some sort of loopholes with the leeway he was given.”\n\n\tMaximar chirped in, “Loopholes or not, what he’s doing is unforgivable, and we have to stop him.”\n\n\tKalira nodded, “Right… Let’s get back to the room and check up on Blaise.”\n\n\tThe three of them finally got back to the room, and Blaise was already up and about. He looked over to them, taking note of their less than happy expressions, especially Kalira, “…So what did I miss at the briefing?”\n\n\tKalira growled, shaking her head, “Trouble… Big trouble…”\n\nChapter 18: Getting Ready To Move Out\n\n\tBlaise cracked his knuckles and muttered once Kalira, Pharstis, and Maximar went over the details on how Pharstis’s brother went missing and the appearance of Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron in Syl’phedar Forest, “Fucking mutt… I really hope he’s still around in the forest, because I think I’m going to finish the job I should’ve done back in the Academy.”\n\n\tPharstis shook her head, “Cousin, don’t stoop yourself down to this man’s level. Of course, the acts that he has done are unforgivable, but he treads along an extremely evil path. If you let your bloodlust take you over—“\n\n\tBlaise turned and snapped at the black avian, “Shut up! I’ll never be like Colonel Karazor… NEVER!!”\n\n\tPharstis looked like she was ready to say something, but instead turned away and shook her head. Maximar glanced to her, then to Blaise, “She only means well for you, Blaise. After hearing about what he tried to do to Kalira, we hold nothing but hatred for him as well… Let’s just use this drive to bring him to justice.”\n\n\tBlaise glanced to Maximar, shaking his head, “Justice did a damn fucking fine job on keeping that fleabag locked up in a kennel. This time, we’re going to play with MY style of justice…”\n\n\tPharstis sighed, “Let’s just hope YOUR style of justice doesn’t get you killed.”\n\n\tKalira strapped her rifle over her shoulder, “How about we just stop this infighting so we can work together, ok? Who knows what’s waiting for us inside the forest… or the ruins for that matter?”\n\n\tMaximar nodded, “Kalira’s right… If the ambush in the Strigidian Mountain Pass was any indication, I can only imagine that Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron are prepared for any hostilities.”\n\n\tBlaise rolled his shoulders and head a bit, “Whatever they try isn’t going to work. C’mon… Let’s hurry up so we can get going…”\n\n\tHaving gotten their gear ready, they started to make their way out, but Kalira stopped Blaise for a moment, putting her handpaw on his shoulder, “…Blaise?”\n\n\tThe Captain blinked, looking back to her, “…Huh? What is it, Kali?”\n\n\t“…Are you feeling ok?”\n\n\tBlaise blinked, then turned to face her, “Yeah. I think so. That little rest did help a bit, though… I’m still kinda bummed out I didn’t realize that my mom was right next to me sooner…”\n\n\tKalira sighed, purring and slipping her arms around his waist from behind, “Blaise… Don’t let it get you down. You’ll find her again… I’m sure of it.”\n\n\tBlaise tensed a little at the hug, but found himself leaning back into it a bit, closing his eyes, “…Yeah. I hope so.” Lightly, he wrestled out of the embrace and started to head out, “Let’s go, Kali. We got work to do.”\n\n\tKalira watched him as he started to move out, then sighed, starting to follow after, “…Right.” In her heart though, she was saying something more, \n\n\tMeanwhile, the Ancient Reliquary of Syl’phedar Forest stood quietly in the deep cover of the tall trees around it, and Colonel Karazor was looking around from where he stood on the foyer. The silver Vulpani scanned the area in front of the ruins with his arms crossed, his fluffy tail swishing behind him, “Hmmm…”\n\n\tBreaking his concentration, a short, helmeted Fenrir Trooper, a Vulpani most likely, considering the copper bushy tail he had with the white tip, came out of the temple, giving a salute and speaking in a very youthful voice, “C… Colonel, sir!”\n\n\tThe Colonel didn’t even look back, “…What is it, pup?”\n\n\t“Um… The next batch of animals have been injected, sir, and are ready to be inserted out into the forest.”\n\n\t“…Good.”\n\n\tThe trooper shifted a bit in place, “Sir? Why are you standing out here?”\n\n\tKarazor flicked his bushy tail, not saying a word as he continued to scan the woods in front of him.\n\n\t“Sir…?” The trooper took a step forward, only to leap back with a yelp as Karazor shifted his body and fired a long-barreled pistol at him, just missing his feet.\n\n\tKarazor growled quietly, “You have faster reactions than I thought, Zalesar. You better be fast about getting out of my sight before I try shooting you again, got that?” A whimper came from the youth as he turned tail and ran back into the interior of the temple. Quietly, the Colonel growled to himself as he started to scan the forest again, “I swear, if I get my hands on that feathered freak… I’m going to give him a slow, painful death. Then, once I get rid of him, I think it’ll be time to spread the fun into Qes’trahl Bay itself since their guards would be without their leadership.”\n\n\tNot too far off, a large, rather plump, black-furred wolf was sitting behind a tree, staring at the Colonel from afar. The beast was huffing lightly, shaking its head and closing its green eyes slowly, As quickly as it could, the wolf started to run off deeper into the woods with a bit of a limp to its movement.\n\nChapter 19: Off to Syl’phedar Forest\n\n\tNo sooner than Blaise and the group came out of the inn, Lunara was waiting for them, standing beside two hover bikes. The panthress purred and waved them over, “Hey, you four…”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, staring at the two vehicles, still in a bit of an agitated state, “And just what’re these?”\n\n\tLunara smirked, “Well, I got to thinking when I saw Kalira stormed out of the briefing upon hearing who was in Syl’phedar Forest… There’s no way you’d be able to get there on foot so quick, so I’m lending you two of our Peregrine hover bikes. I trust you can drive them?”\n\n\tKalira nodded with a bit of a smile, “Of course… Blaise and I had lessons for riding them as part of basic training. Thanks for the support.”\n\n\tLunara nodded, “Sure thing… I want this Colonel friend of yours to stop his trouble as soon as possible, so I’m doing what I can to help that along.”\n\n\tPharstis dipped her head, “It’s appreciated, Lunara. We’ll make sure that we find Shadorn out there, and bring him back safely.”\n\n\tThe black Felidari nodded, saying in a tone that betrayed her concern, “…Yeah. Thanks.”\n\n\tMaximar tilted his head curiously as he looked to Lunara as she spoke with Pharstis, asking, “…Lunara? Is something wrong?”\n\n\t“H… Huh?” The question caught Lunara off guard, and she rapidly shook her head, “N… No, it’s nothing. Just… Good luck, ok?” With that, the Ver’dahnti feline padded off.\n\n\tBlaise moved to one of the bikes and straddled himself onto it, grumbling a bit, “Luck’s going to have no hand in this. It’s all about the skill.” He eyed his companions, “We’re moving… Pharstis? Hop on and hold onto me. Max? You do the same with Kalira.”\n\n\tMax blinked, looking to Kalira, who was already pulling herself onto the second bike, then Blaise, “Um… right. Will do.”\n\n\tKalira giggled faintly as she looked to the aquiline warrior, “Just hop on… You know I don’t bite.”\n\n\tPharstis raised an eyebrow, staring at Kalira, and then glaring at Maximar, “And just WHAT does she mean by that?”\n\n\tMaximar was sitting behind the Felidari ranger, and then blinked, going tense and peering at Pharstis, “…She doesn’t mean anything. R… Really…”\n\n\tKalira was also quick to his defense, shaking her head at Pharstis, “Take it easy, Pharrie… Max is telling the truth.”\n\n\tThe Phecipiterran’s eyes widened behind her glasses, “Ph… Ph… Pharrie?!”\n\n\tLunara gulped lightly, quickly stepping between the two women, looking to Kalira, “Kalira… Don’t call Pharstis that. Her brother calls her that as a term of endearment… and it’s one she tends to… well… dislike.”\n\n\tKalira winced at that, blushing, “Oh… Um… sorry.”\n\n\tRegardless of the apology, Pharstis huffed and pulled herself up onto Blaise’s bike, wrapping her arms around her cousin’s waist. She quietly muttered to herself about something along the lines of a cow, which Kalira thankfully didn’t hear.\n\n\tBlaise sighed, turning on his Peregrine and revving its engine, “Let’s just get going. Kalira, I’m not in the mood, so quit picking on my cousin…” He looked over his shoulder to Pharstis, “Hang on, Pharstis…”\n\n\t“…Hang on? Just what do you think you’re going to d—?!”\n\n\tHearing Blaise’s protective tone, Kalira raised an eyebrow. Before she could answer back though, the Captain went full throttle and sped off on a wheelie with Pharstis heard holding on for dear life, a distant, panicked protest to slow down heard from the Phecipiterran.\n\n\tMax only stared at the showy spectacle, and then shook his head, “Blaise needs to show some restraint…”\n\n\tKalira frowned, shaking her head with a sigh, “…Yeah. I’ve been hoping he would do so for years now…”\n\n\tMaximar tilted his head, “Kalira? What is the matter?”\n\n\tThe tigress closed her eyes, “No, it’s nothing.”\n\n\t“…Don’t lie to me, Kalira. Your tone tells me otherwise.”\n\n\t“Max… I…” Again, Kalira sighed, “Ever since Blaise met Pharstis and learned that she’s his cousin, he… he just seems different. It’s almost as if he’s forgotten about me.”\n\n\tMaximar blinked, but smiled faintly, “…Kali, I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten about you. I mean, think about it… He’s grown up without any true family, and for the first time in his life, he’s managing to learn that he not only has cousins, but his mother is very much alive. Consider it initial shock. Trust me. You’re the last person he’d forget about.”\n\n\t“Yeah… Sorry, Max. You’re probably right.” She looked back to him with a weak smile, “Ready to hold on?”\n\n\t“Hold on? Oh, yeah…” He carefully situated his arms around the feline’s waist… VERY carefully. In fact, his handtalons were shaking a bit.\n\n\tA small giggle came from Kalira, “Max?”\n\n\tMax blushed, “S… sorry. I’m just being careful not to… um… grab too high.”\n\n\tKalira thought about those words for a moment with a raised eyebrow, and then her giggle grew, “That’s what I like about you, Max. You’re sweet… and polite.” She reached down and gave a gentle pat on his talons situated on her belly, “Got a good grip?”\n\n\t“Yeah. Whenever you’re ready, Kali.”\n\n\tKalira nodded, putting her goggles on over her eyes, “Alright. Let’s jet!” With a twist of the throttle, the feline and aquiline sped off to catch up with Blaise and Pharstis.\n\n\tBlaise kept his high speed up as he got out of the city, with Pharstis hanging on for dear life. The sorceress screeched out, “BLAISE! Don’t you even know where you’re going?”\n\n\tBlaise kept his eyes ahead on the road, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to speak up, cousin!”\n\n\tPharstis shook her head, “I asked if you knew where Syl’phedar Forest is!”\n\n\t“Aheh… Not a clue. I just thought I’d look for the first, closest thicket of woods and start heading for them, considering it’s a forest and all.”\n\n\t“…You’re hopeless.”\n\n\tBlaise stopped the Peregrine and looked to his cousin with a slight blush, “…Well, sorry. I’m kinda fired up with the notion that someone I really don’t like is behind all of this, and I kinda forgot to ask for directions…”\n\n\tPharstis rolled her eyes, “You’re lucky that I’m familiar with the area…” She looked around, looking towards the northeast, which was, in fact, the direction they were headed in the first place. The sorceress blinked, “…And through some stroke of dumb luck, it appears you WERE heading the right way.”\n\n\tBlaise rubbed the back of his neck and smirked, “Really, now?”\n\n\tPharstis nodded, “Yes, really…” She went silent for a moment, but then spoke up, “Blaise… something’s been bothering me about you as I was holding on during the ride just now.”\n\n\t“Huh? What is it?”\n\n\t“You said that you can’t control your aetherea, correct?”\n\n\tBlaise blinked, then shook his head, “…No, not at all. I can hardly even summon it for healing wounds quicker, but it only actively comes out when my emotions are high… particularly in anger.”\n\n\t“Just as Kalira explained when talking about what you did to Colonel Karazor, with an uncontrolled blast of flame…” She fixed her glasses a bit, “While I’ve been holding onto you, I could feel your aetherea raging, Cousin…”\n\n\t“Wh… wha? Hey now, Pharstis. What’re you trying to say?” Blaise wanted to keep a straight face, but he was losing horribly, eventually falling into a snicker fit.\n\n\tFor a moment, Pharstis was slow on the uptake, but then, once she realized his joke… her talon balled into a fist and smacked Blaise nice and hard on the top of the head, “BLAISE! We’re cousins! How dare you think I was doing THAT to you?!”\n\n\tBlaise winced, but couldn’t stop laughing, “OW! Oh, come on, Pharstis… You left yourself open for that one.”\n\n\tThe black hen huffed, neck feathers bristled and her talon fixing her glasses, her nares glowing a very deep red of embarrassment, “P… Perhaps I did…” Again, she gave him another good smacking on his head, “I don’t know who’s worse: you or my brother, Shadorn!!”\n\n\t“OW! Aheh… I guess there’s only one way for me to find out for myself. Anyway, what’re you trying to get at with this aetherea stuff?”\n\n\tPharstis calmed herself and sighed, “Well… I think it’s really a matter of training.”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “Matter of training, my ass. Cousin, the Union had their best Aetherealists try to train me on using my aetherea and they hardly got anywhere. Perhaps I’m just not cut out for using it at all.”\n\n\tPharstis smirked faintly, “Amusing words from someone who’s usually so cocksure.”\n\n\tWith a roll of his eyes, the Captain huffed, “What’s that supposed to mean?”\n\n\t“Oh, nothing, Cousin… Just give it time, and I’m sure you’ll get a hang of it.”\n\n\t“Pfft… right. I’d probably get close to death sooner than I could use that stuff, Pharstis. I’ll stick to the hacking and slashing while you have fun with that spell-slinging of yours.”\n\n\t“Why give up? Just—“ Pharstis was suddenly cut off by the sound of roaring engines. With the sounds coming ahead, it wasn’t Kalira and Maximar…\n\nChapter 20: Aethereal Burst\n\n\tBlaise and Pharstis stared out ahead, as the roaring of vehicles were approaching fast from the northeast. The Phecipiterran frowned, “I’m getting a bad feeling about this.”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “You too, huh?” Quickly, he activated the scanner on the Peregrine, staring down at the bike’s console. The screen came to life, with a synthesized female voice, Blaise screamed, “Computer, scan whatever’s ahead and fast!”\n\n\t\n\n\t“Well, try fucking harder!” boomed Blaise.\n\n\t The voice cut out on a beep, then resumed, \n\n\tBlaise growled, “Come on! We don’t have all fucking day!”\n\n\t\n\n\tPharstis winced at that, “…Did it just say—“\n\n\tBlaise finished her thought, “—Thirty. Yes… Yes, it did say thirty.”\n\n\tBefore they knew it, the two Pumas, brandishing the symbol of the Sundevourer Lance, were on top of them and had Blaise and Pharstis surrounded… even more so when the 30 lightly armored troopers comprised of Lupani and Vulpani got out of the APCs and raised their weapons at them. One of them, presumably the Sergeant, stepped forward with his rifle raised, “You’ve entered a restricted area, you two… What business do you have here?!”\n\n\tMeanwhile, Kalira and Maximar were speeding along on their own Peregrine, heading for the northwest as Blaise and Pharstis were.\n\n\tKalira growled quietly, “You know… It would’ve been nice for Blaise to wait up for us. Who knows what’s waiting for us in the forest…”\n\n\tMaximar chuckled a bit, “Yeah, well… What can you do? That’s just how Blaise is, Kali.”\n\n\t“Ain’t it the truth, Max…”\n\n\tMaximar shook his head, “He may be reckless, but I’m sure he has common sense to not do anything too stupid.”\n\n\t“You give him a lot more credit than he needs sometimes, Max.” noted Kalira with a smirk, looking over his shoulder at him.\n\n\tSeconds after Kalira made her statement, the Peregrine beeped, \n\n\tKalira blinked and looked ahead as she skidded her bike to a halt, “…Computer? Can you get an ID on what’s ahead?”\n\n\t\n\n\tAs the information came up on screen and was spoken with the computer’s voice, Kalira’s eyes widened, “Shit… They’ve mobilized and got Blaise and Pharstis surrounded! Let’s go!” With the screech of the Peregrine’s engines, they were off in hot pursuit to save their comrades.\n\n\tWith a loud crack, the Sergeant took his rifle and hit Blaise hard across the face with its butt, causing the Captain to drop down to his hands and knees, “AUGHK!” Blaise spit out a good bit of blood and got back up, glaring at his assailant, “…You really think you’re… going to… get away with this…”\n\n\tThe armored Sergeant grinned under his helmet’s facemask, raising his rifle at Blaise, “Colonel Karazor has so many plans, so we’re not going to let some upstart like you get in his way. I’m going to give you five seconds to get on your bike and leave us be. If not…” He then turned his rifle at Pharstis, whose eyes widened behind her glasses. “…Well, your pretty, feathered friend here is going to need an executor for her will. Now then!” The armored Fenrir trooper raised a hand, pointing up a finger, “One…”\n\n\tBlaise’s fists clenched tightly, his breathing getting heavier, “You wouldn’t dare…”\n\n\tA second finger of the Sergeant rose, “Two…”\n\n\tPharstis looked to Blaise, “Cousin? What…?” The sorceress could feel it… Blaise’s aetherea was swelling a violent rate, and the air around him was building in temperature. Either the troopers didn’t mind the rise in temperature, or it could’ve just been the fact that their suits were heat resistant! She winced, opening a wing and raising an arm to shield herself, “…Oh no. This must be—“\n\n\tAnd another finger… “Three…”\n\n\tBlaise growled, and the grass around him started to sizzle and smoke, “Pharstis... Jump…” The human’s eyes started to glow with golden light, his teeth gritting in fury, <…Fuck. I feel like I’m on fire!>\n\n\t“Fou—eh?” The Sergeant looked up, seeing Pharstis take to the sky quickly. “FIRE! Shoot her d—“ and then looked down at the lightly burning grass by Blaise’s feet then back at the Captain’s burning visage, “…What are you…?”\n\n\tThe troopers seemed confused at the Sergeant’s indiscretion, half wanting to shoot at Pharstis, but half staring at the anomaly around Blaise with some even starting to back up.\n\n\tBlaise grinned like a horrific devil at the Sergeant, “I’m your WORST NIGHTMARE!!!” He threw his arms out, the light sizzling roared into a rapidly expanding ring of fire, the fury of his uncontrolled aetherea washing over the now-terrified troopers, instantly turning a good twelve of them into black cinders. The others that didn’t manage to get vaporized by the nova were either running in fear, or screaming on the ground in flames, rolling on the ground to try and get them out.\n\n\tPharstis’s eyes widened as she watched the explosion from above, “…By Solravis. What IS that power?!”\n\n\tKalira skid her Peregrine to a halt again when she and Maximar saw the large blast of flame blossom around the area where Blaise and Pharstis were.\n\n\tMaximar’s eyes widened, screaming, “NO!!! BLAISE!! PHARSTIS!!”\n\n\tKalira shook her head, looking up, “Pharstis is fine, Max! She’s airborne!” She pointed at the flames, “I can only imagine that Blaise’s aetherea got loose. Come on! Let’s see if we can help!”\n\n\tIt was a massacre. Within a minute, all but the Sundevourer Sergeant were dead, either slain by Blaise’s flames or his swallowblade, with Pharstis seeing the whole thing with a bird’s eye seat. With a sneer, Blaise wandered over to the terrified leader, picking him up by the throat with one hand, “You broke very VERY bad rules, fleabag.”\n\n\tThe weak, injured Sergeant weakly wriggled, clutching at Blaise’s hand gripping around his neck with his own, “R… Rules…? *cough*”\n\n\t“That’s right… They didn’t teach that shit to you when you went to obedience school, did they? Number one: Don’t fuck with me… Number two: No one fucks with my family!”\n\n\tOnly a gasp came from the Sergeant’s throat, “F… Forgive… me…”\n\n\t“Request denied, asshole…” Blaise let go of his victim and spun around with a hard kick to the stomach of the Sergeant, the force of the blow shattering his armor plating and causing his body to take flight, head first into the side of one of the Puma APCs with a resounding snap from the neck. With that done, he rolled his shoulders and head, letting off a few stiff snaps from his joints, only to wobble a bit and drop to his knees.\n\n\tPharstis quickly swooped down and ran to her cousin, “Blaise! Are… Are you ok?”\n\n\tBlaise was about to answer when another screech from a vehicle was heard. Kalira and Maximar finally arrived, hopping off their bike and running over. Kalira looked around, then shook her head, \n\n\tMaximar didn’t seem too concerned with all the dead Fenrir troopers around, stooping down by Blaise, “So you couldn’t save any for us, huh?” The aquiline couldn’t help but smirk.\n\n\tBlaise sighed, laying back with a smirk, “Sorry, Max… I guess I got greedy…” Slowly, he passed out, or drifted asleep… One or the other.\n\n\tPharstis sighed, “…I’ve never seen anything like it. Kalira… This was more than just a simple, pinpoint fireball. This was a huge explosion of flame around his body…”\n\n\tKalira looked to Pharstis, noticing her shaken composure, “We’ll camp here until tomorrow. It looks like Blaise needs the rest, and you need to get your nerves back in line.”\n\n\tPharstis nodded weakly, as Maximar came over to put a handtalon on her shoulder, causing her to look up to him, then back to Kalira with a slight smile, “Y… yes… Please… I’d appreciate it.”\n\n\tThe tigress sighed and lowered herself beside Blaise, resting his head in her lap, \n\nChapter 21: The Dimensional Divide\n\n\tBlaise slowly woke up, yet his surroundings were not his previous ones. “H… huh? What the hell? Where am I?” He looked around, finding himself floating in a limbo with drifting islands and an iridescent sky. And then, falling… He started to fall straight down towards a small island. Screaming, Blaise flailed his arms to try and slow his descent, but due to not having wings, it was all for naught. With a great thud against the dirt of the island, a large cloud of dust billowed around the Captain, “Ugh…” Oddly enough, the impact really didn’t hurt him, as he got up and dust himself off with a mutter, “Must be some kind of dream I’m in… I think.”\n\n\tThe echoing voice of a male called from behind Blaise, “To a degree, yes, yet at the same time, it is not, fledgling…”\n\n\tBlaise quickly turned around, quickly grabbing for his swallowblade, but it wasn’t there, “…Who are you and why have you brought me here?!”\n\n\tBefore Blaise stood what appeared to be a male, golden-colored Phedarian, yet completely naked and with translucent features all throughout his well-built frame. He crossed his arms behind his back, making no effort to cover himself… much to Blaise’s dismay, who quickly averted his eyes with a hand over his face and a turn of his head, “I did not bring you here, Blaise… You came here on your own accord.”\n\n\tBlaise continued to look away, “Oh, come on. Don’t you have ANY sort of decency?! Last I recall, I don’t remember wanting to come to some creepy nudist colony in another plane of existence!”\n\n\tThe Phedarian chuckled, shaking his head, “You truly don’t have any understanding of what powers govern this world… Nay… of what powers govern all of existence.” He took a step forward, “When one’s soul is removed from a body, they simply come here the way they were at the time of its removal.”\n\n\tBlaise looked right at the Phedarian, keeping his eyes on their eyes, as he wasn’t a fan of staring at another man’s junk, “So, what? Someone stole your soul while you were having sex or som—“ He suddenly found himself wincing and holding his head as he got smacked on the top of the head, “—OW! Ok, ok… Shit… Take a joke, man…”\n\n\t“I can take a joke, fledgling… just not when they’re utterly humorless.”\n\n\tBlaise narrowed his eyes, “Stop calling me ‘fledgling!’ My name is Blaise!”\n\n\t“Oh yes… Blaise,” chided the golden avian. “That’s what your mother, Destany, called you… You truly live up to the pun your name gives off. Quite the raging inferno…”\n\n\t“Are you going to tell me just where the hell I am?!”\n\n\tThe avian grinned, “Don’t I get a simple ‘please?’”\n\n\tBlaise glared at him, then muttered, “…Please?”\n\n\t“I never thought you’d ask! You are now in a dimension that transcends all dimensions… A place known as the Dimensional Divide.”\n\n\t“…I think you lost me there.”\n\n\t“Let’s just say it’s a limbo where lost souls reside, and a conduit in which planes of existence are linked and separated.”\n\n\t“Oh… I guess that helps things… Slightly…” noted Blaise. “So how did I get here?”\n\n\t“Well, considering your aetherea seems so solid, you definitely haven’t had your soul removed. That only can mean one thing. You’re in a meditative state, if somewhat subconsciously, and only a select few can do such a thing and enter the Dimensional Divide in that way,” explained the golden Phedarian.\n\n\t“And they are?”\n\n\tThe avian smiled, “Those of the Sol’ryas clan. I would come to the Divide regularly in meditation to clear my mind of worries… That is until someone decided to remove my soul from my body. In fact, your mother comes here rather often to contemplate on what bothers her now and then.”\n\n\t“So what you’re saying is that you would be a relative of me somewhere along the line? And wait… How does someone lose their soul?” inquired Blaise.\n\n\t“As for us being relatives… Let’s just say we are, albeit extremely distant. And on the losing-a-soul bit, well… I’ll just say that I got unlucky.”\n\n\t“That’s an understatement… So what do I call you?”\n\n\t“What do you call me?” The question caught the Phedarian off guard, and he pondered it for a moment, eventually answering, “Just call me… Animus.”\n\n\t“Ok then, Animus. So how do I get back to the world of the living?” asked Blaise as he crossed his arms, eyeing the ghostly bird.\n\n\t“You simply will it, Blaise. As easy as that…”\n\n\t“That’s all then, huh? Then, peace out, Animus. I’m outta—“\n\n\t“Wait…”\n\n\tBlaise frowned, “…What now?”\n\n\t“You can’t control your aetherea well, can you?”\n\n\tAnimus’s words made Blaise roll his eyes, “What about it?”\n\n\tThe spirit came closer, a surprisingly solid handtalon resting on Blaise’s shoulder, “I want to help you with that, if you’re willing, Blaise…”\n\n\t“And just how do you propose doing that?\n\n\t“Well… I need to go inside of you.”\n\n\tBlaise looked down between the naked, and thankfully unerect, Phedarian’s legs, then back up to his face, the Captain’s face falling into an utter expression of disgust and shock, hands going up in protest, “…Absolutely not! If you think you’re going to stick y—“\n\n\tAnimus sighed, shaking his head and gave another good, hard smack on the top of Blaise’s head, “Ok, ok, ok… First of all, I don’t fly that way. Secondly, I’m not so keen on the idea of incest, even if we’re extremely so far apart in the bloodline. Tsk… Really, you need to get your mind out of the gutter. When I say I need to go inside of you, I mean for me to become part of your own aetherea. I AM comprised of nothing but aethereal energy after all… so I assure you that it’s quite harmless.” He raised his arm with an open palm facing Blaise, “Grab my hand with yours…”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, “Well… if that’s it…” He took a deep breath and locked fingers with Animus, palm pressed against palm, “So, now wha—AAAH?!” Blaise’s eyes went wide as the Phedarian’s body glimmered with radiance, his form starting to distort and… strangely deflate and seem like it was getting sucked through Blaise’s palm like a vacuum. When the last bit of Animus’s essence entered Blaise’s body, he was hit with a small recoil that made him stagger a little off balance, “ACK! The hell… Ok… I’m officially creeped out now.” It was then that a small tingle was felt on the back of his right hand. The sensation made him look down at it, noticing that a marking was glowing through the fabric of his fingerless glove with red light… a runic design that took the form of an eight-pronged sun with six wings unfurled around it, slowly fading out after a few seconds, “What’s this? I didn’t ask for a tattoo…”\n\n\tFrom inside Blaise, Animus could be heard speaking, \n\n\tBefore Blaise could answer, he was enveloped in a white flash…\n\n\tIt was already night time. Blaise’s eyes slowly opened, looking right up at Kalira, who was gently wiping his forehead with a cool, wet cloth, “Ugh…”\n\n\tThe feline purred, smiling in a bit of relief, “Welcome back, Blaise. Have a good nap?”\n\n\tHe looked around, seeing Maximar and Pharstis busy finishing up the makeshift camp that the group made from the remnants of the small battlefield he made, then looked back up to Kalira, “…Yeah. I think so.” The Captain curiously looked down at the back of his right hand, rubbing at it, then shook his head, “Had a pretty surreal dream…”\n\n\tKalira tilted her head, “A dream, huh?”\n\n\tBlaise shrugged, “Wasn’t anything special…”\n\n\tKalira purred a bit more, patting him on the shoulder, “If you say so. Just be more careful next time, ok? I’m going to help the others finish up.”\n\n\t“Yeah… ok…”\n\n\tGiving him a smile, Kalira got back up and wandered over to Maximar and Pharstis. Blaise watched her move away, catching every sway and swish of her tail and rump as she wandered off.\n\n\t\n\n\tBlaise went tense and rolled to his side, covering his head with wide eyes, whispering, “Wha? A… Animus? How did you—“\n\n\tAnimus chuckled, \n\n\tBlaise muttered, “I’m not meant to be a peephole for you, you pervert!”\n\n\tBlaise’s tone was just a little too high, causing Kalira to blink and look over at him, “Blaise? Did you need something?”\n\n\tBlaise sat up, shaking his head rapidly, face as red as a beet, “N… no, Kali. I’m fine.”\n\n\tKalira blinked, then turned around with a shrug, murmuring, “Probably still a little delirious from so much exertion with that uncontrolled aetherea of his.”\n\n\tAnimus was laughing with glee at the situation in Blaise’s mind, \n\n\tBlaise sighed and closed his eyes, feigning himself to look asleep, giving his “passenger’s” idea a try, <…This… wasn’t part of… the deal…>\n\n\tAnimus chuckled, \n\n\t<…Like what?>\n\n\t\n\n\tBlaise took a deep breath in his fake slumber, \n\n\tAnimus sighed, \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\tMeanwhile, deep in Syl’phedar Forest, the bulky, black wolf that was watching the Ancient Reliquary padded along, keeping low in the shadows of the trees and bushes. Sniffing the air and looking around, the lupine’s form suddenly glowed a bright green and ballooned in size and mutated rapidly in shape… The four-legged beast standing on two… and growing wings. The canid features of the wolf’s body changed into avian ones. Within seconds, the wolf was no more, and in its place was a somewhat portly black avian with a golden beak with glasses sitting on the nares, his body dressed in white pants and an open-front, sleeved jacket of similar color.\n\n\tThe avian huffed, shaking his head, “I need to grab a hold of my sister… Let her know that I need help.” He peered around, spotting a small sparrow. Whistling up to it, the tiny bird fluttered down to an offered finger to perch on, and he stroked its head with the tip of a finger from his other handtalon, “Little one, I need you to find Pharstis and tell her that I’m injured and I have no way of getting back to her… Please, can you do that for me?”\n\n\tThe little sparrow’s eyes glowed when it was touched on the head. The creature chirped and bobbed its head, hopping off the plump avian humanoid’s finger, speeding through the air on its mission.\n\n\t“Damn… I’m going to need a vacation after this.”\n\n\tThe man’s hopes were rubbed out when he heard the sound of rushing footfalls heading in his direction, followed by a few voices…\n\n\t“I heard something over this way! Follow me!”\n\n\tA reply of a few more voices… Four… Perhaps five bellowed “Sir, yes sir!”\n\n\tWith a shake of his head, the avian skipped forward and flashed with green light once more, reverting back into the large black wolf form he originally had, rushing off into the shadows, \n\nChapter 22: A Little Bird Told Me…\n\n\tIt wasn’t long before five armored troopers from the Sundevourer Lance came running into the clearing, lead by a tall, white-tailed Lupani, bearing the marks of Sergeant. The lanky lupine pointed out, looking at a smaller Vulpani… the one who conversed with Colonel Karazor earlier, “You… Private Deixerla, you take point. You got me?”\n\n\tThe young fox, Zalesar, blinked from behind his visor, “M… Me…?”\n\n\tWith a growl, the sergeant flipped his visor up and bared his fangs at Zalesar, smacking him hard against the head with a backhand, causing the youth to yelp and topple over onto his side, “Don’t question me, pup! You will follow orders or I’ll skin you alive, you got me?!”\n\n\tThe fox kit whimpered, slowly getting up, “S… sir… Yes, sir…”\n\n\tShadorn was melding into the shadows of the woods in his wolf form, shaking his head, <…They’re even using kids in this operation? I really hope that the Union hasn’t sanctioned them being here, especially if they’re stooping this low.>\n\n\tThe Sundevourer sergeant gave Zalesar a swift boot in the ass, causing the kit to yelp loudly, “Get a move on! We don’t have all day!”\n\n\tOne of the troopers in the group glanced to another, “How do you think that little pup got into Fenrir Squadron in the first place? He’s so worthless…”\n\n\tThe other chuckled and shook his head, replying, “Who knows? I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran away one day. He’s definitely not one of us, considering how cowardly he is.”\n\n\tZalesar shivered as he moved forward, handpaw moving down to his belt and drawing his weapon of choice: a V-shaped, bladed boomerang.\n\n\tThe third trooper grinned behind his helmet’s visor, “I bet you all 1000 Gald that the little brat runs away if something happens…”\n\n\tEven the sergeant chuckled, “I double your wager and say he’ll get killed…”\n\n\tShadorn was no more than 15 feet away from Zalesar, slowly rumbling off a deep, threatening growl. He didn’t want to harm the teenage soldier, only get him out of the way. Whether or not this decision was wise, it was a gamble he had to take, seeing the less than kosher treatment his much older “comrades” gave him. He thought to himself, <…I’m probably going to regret this…>\n\n\tThe low, rumbling sound made Zalesar tense and rapidly look around. Before he could do anything, Shadorn barked and pounced hard into Zalesar’s side, having the pair roll into a tumble into more bushes, causing the young Vulpani to scream in terror… which easily alerted the sergeant and the other three older troopers.\n\n\tShadorn quickly rolled off of the terrified Zalesar and barked, “If you want to live, run! I don’t kill children!”\n\n\tZalesar was befuddled hearing the large, bulky wolf speak, but he definitely took those words to heart after a moment of thought, quickly getting up and running like hell… away from the violence that was about to explode between his “friends” and the large creature. He didn’t know why this enemy of his was helping him. He only had one thing in mind… Only one thing… Survival.\n\n\tThe only thing that Zalesar could hear in his fearful mind as he fled for his life was the cacophony of four soldiers fighting with the large, black wolf… And it didn’t sound pretty for either side.\n\n\t\n\n\tThe camp of Gryphon Squadron and its comrades was very peaceful during the night, yet one of the group… Pharstis, in particular, couldn’t sleep, sitting out on the edge of the site and staring off towards the direction of Syl’phedar Forest. She was suddenly startled when the sound of approaching footsteps were heard, causing her to turn and look up to see Blaise standing there, her beak taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, “…Cousin? You can’t sleep either?”\n\n\tBlaise chuckled, “I wouldn’t be up talking to you if I couldn’t.” He sat himself down beside her, “What’s on your mind?”\n\n\t“I… just really have a bad feeling that I’m getting…”\n\n\t“About your older brother?”\n\n\tPharstis only nodded quietly, looking back out towards the shadow of the forest ahead a few miles away.\n\n\tBlaise slowly put a hand on her shoulder and smiled to her, “There’s one thing about Gryphon Squadron, cousin… We have a motto: ‘Wings of hope, soaring eternally.’ Now… I’m not exactly the best person to look into the meanings of things, but… Considering the work the unit has done since its conception, I think it means that we never give up, no matter how grim or impossible a situation is. Gryphon Squadron’s always been put on the most dangerous, possibly suicidal missions, but they’ve always managed to avoid the loss of anyone. Why? Well… we stick together.”\n\n\tPharstis blinked, looking back up to him, “You know, Blaise… You really are a mystery. Half the time, you’re an incorrigible, coarse, and uncontrollable excuse of a person. Then all the other times, you’re so laid back, easy to get along with.”\n\n\tBlaise chuckled, shaking his head, “I guess it’s just one of my redeeming qualities, huh?”\n\n\tJust then, a small sparrow fluttered nearby Blaise and Pharstis, chirping madly at the pair. Pharstis blinked at the tiny avian, “Odd… Sparrows should be asleep at this hour.”\n\n\tBlaise narrowed his eyes and huffed, waving a hand at the energetic bird, “C’mon, you little ball of feathers. Go away and get to sleep. You’re going to wake up Kali and Max…”\n\n\tThe sparrow dodged the half-hearted waves of Blaise’s hand with great agility though, and continued its chattering before finally perching on Pharstis’s shoulder and bringing its beak to her eartuft, \n\n\tAt the end of the message, the sparrow chirped in disorientation, then rapidly fluttered off out of sight. It wasn’t long after that Pharstis’s eyes started to well up with tears, “Shadorn… No… I don’t want to lose you too!”\n\n\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, staring at her in confusion, “Cousin? What is it?”\n\n\tThe sorceress took off her glasses and wiped at her misty eyes, “That sparrow… Shadorn channeled his aetherea into it to get a message off to me… He said everyone is dead and he’s got heavy wounds. He… He’s got the feeling that he’s not going to make it because he’s still being hunted as we speak.”\n\n\tBlaise’s eyes narrowed, gritting his teeth, “…Karazor. I swear that when we find you, I’m going to make sure that no one can recognize you… I SWEAR on it.” He then looked to Pharstis, “I’m going…”\n\n\t“G… Going?”\n\n\tBlaise nodded as he started to make his way to one of the Peregrines, hopping onto it, “You said that I can feel aethereal links with family, right?”\n\n\t“Y… Yes, but… Blaise, let me go with you… This is my brother we’re talking about…”\n\n\tBlaise revved his bike’s throttle, causing Kalira and Maximar to jolt awake, shaking his head, “No, Pharstis… The last thing I need is you getting hurt because you’re too emotional to concentrate. I promise… I’ll save your brother…” With that, he \n\nsped off as fast as the Peregrine could accelerate, flying into a wheelie on the hover bike towards the northeast.\n\n\tKalira and Maximar came running over, the pair’s eyes wide in shock. Kalira growled, shaking her head watching the dust cloud forming from the velocity of Blaise’s vehicle, “BLAISE! Where the fuck are you going?!”\n\n\tMaximar looked to Pharstis, “Pharstis? What happened? Why is Blaise running off like this without us?”\n\n\tPharstis shook her head, “Shadorn’s on the verge of dying… He sent a message through a sparrow and said he’s wounded and getting hunted down by Fenrir Squadron. Blaise is going to find him by himself, and…”\n\n\tKalira growled a bit more, “Like hell he will…” She looked to the others as she started to make his way for the remaining Peregrine, “It’s going to be tight, but the three of us are going to have to fit on this thing. What’s worse is that all the extra weight is going to slow us down.” Maximar and Pharstis quickly hopped onto the bike, holding onto Kalira like a miniature conga line. With a rev of the throttle, Kalira put here Peregrine to the best speed it could muster with the extra passenger, sighing, \n\nChapter 23: A Second Chance\n\n\tAbout thirty minutes later, the battle in the forest was over… and the only one left standing… well… slumped against a tree and bleeding, was Shadorn. The Ver’dahnti’s eyes were closed, beak opening as he coughed up a good bit of blood and spit it out to his side, “…I guess… this is it. Even winning this fight, it still seems I’m going to die regardless. Aheh…” His audible thoughts were interrupted though, when the sound of a speeding bike was heard, causing his eartufts to flatten down, “Yeah… Sounds like more of them on their way.”\n\n\tHe couldn’t have been any more wrong, as it was Blaise who sped his Peregrine into view, skidding to a halt and hopping off of it. The Captain’s eyes went wide when he saw the portly druid in his condition, “Oh no… Hey, you! Are you Shadorn?!” Blaise took a step forward and stooped down in front of him, unaware that the fallen sergeant of the Fenrir Squadron troopers was striving to get back up, one handpaw gripped around his pistol.\n\nIt was then that Animus bellowed in Blaise’s mind, \n\n\tThe sergeant growled and coughed, “I… don’t care who is it, but I’m gonna kill him… Even if it’s the last thing I do alive…” He started to take aim between Blaise’s legs at Shadorn’s chest.\n\n\t\n\n\t“Like this?!” Blaise spun around and took a wide slash with a quick draw of his swallowblade, concentrating as hard as he could into his weapon. The blade suddenly flared with green light, slashing across the back of the sergeant’s neck, decapitating him with no effort at all. The blood spurting out of the Lupani’s neck suddenly start to gravitate into globs around the weapon and rotate around it. The blood then mysteriously transformed into pure, green aethereal energy flowing around in helix-formation waves. Blaise started at it in awe, “…The hell?”\n\n\tAnimus continued, \n\n\tBlaise blinked again, but nodded, holding the flat of the glowing swallowblade over Shadorn’s head, “Ok… Here goes…” He tried to imagine himself, <…I want Shadorn’s wounds to fade and heal themselves…> Upon that thought, the green energy flowed away from the blade and completely over the Phecipiterran druid. Shadorn let out a moan of discomfort, back arching. After a few moments, the glow… and the wounds were completely gone from Shadorn’s body! Blaise could only stare in disbelief, “What… what did I do? Did I really do that?”\n\n\t\n\n\tShadorn groaned a bit, all the pain and wounds gone, but his soreness still quite present, “…Who are…? No… How did you heal me like that…?”\n\n\tBlaise tried to look completely confident, smiling faintly, “Just some routine use of aetherea, that’s all… Are you ok?”\n\n\tShadorn looked up at Blaise, seeing his insignias that showed him as a member of the Galactic Union, then closed his eyes, “No… I’m not ok, thank you very much… I’ve lost a lot of good men and women. So, no… I’m definitely not ok, and I would’ve been feeling better if YOU got here sooner.” The Ver’dahnti commander’s eyes opened at Blaise with a rather ungrateful glare.\n\n\tThe look Blaise got made the Captain give one of his own to Shadorn in kind, “So this is how you thank someone who willingly comes out to save you? It’s not my fault that we got held up not once, but twice on the way here!”\n\n\tShadorn got up and went beak to nose with Blaise, grabbing him by the collar, “You’re just making excuses, kid!”\n\n\tBlaise’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he was grabbed, “You better get off of me, you ungrateful, fat shit, before I reopen all your wounds myself.”\n\n\tShadorn’s grip on Blaise’s collar got tighter, lifting him up with a rumbling screech, “I’d like to see you try…”\n\n\tBlaise needed some way to get out of this… One that wouldn’t end up injuring Shadorn again, even if the druidic warrior was pissing him off. The first thing he thought of? Grabbing the forearm of Shadorn and squeezing tight, hoping that he could trigger an aethereal link with him.\n\n\tShadorn reeled his arm back to give Blaise a hard punch, face distorted in anger when he froze. The link had taken place between the pair, and within seconds, Shadorn dropped Blaise and stepped back, looking both shocked and fearful, “What…? You… You made a link with me…?”\n\n\tBlaise landed on his feet and muttered, rubbing his neck a bit, “Well, yeah… Your little sister, Pharstis, told me how to do it, saying how Phecipiterrans and Phedarians can do it to find out who’s closely related to them and such. It worked between me and her, so I guess that would mean that you’re my cousin too, huh?”\n\n\tShadorn stared at him in disbelief, “Human… cousin…? Wait. Then that would mean you’re Aunt Destany’s son, Blaise.”\n\n\tBlaise nodded slowly at that, “That’s right… but look. I’m sorry that you’ve had all your men killed because we didn’t get to you sooner. I hold myself responsible for it, even if the hold-up was caused twice by Fenrir Squadron.”\n\n\t“Blaise… You don’t have to place the blame on yourself. I didn’t know—“\n\n\tThe Captain shook his head, “No… I do feel partly responsible for it. You have complete rights to hate me for it.”\n\n\tShadorn seemed a bit taken aback at Blaise’s guilt trip, and he didn’t know what to say. Part of him is pained that he lost so many good friends in the fighting with Fenrir Squadron, but the other part didn’t want to see Blaise like this. The plump avian took a deep breath, then suddenly punched Blaise hard in the stomach with narrowed eyes, causing him to crumple to his knees.\n\n\tBlaise clutched his stomach and gasped for air, “F… Fuck… What was that for…?”\n\n\tShadorn smirked faintly at Blaise, “Consider it your penance, Blaise. Besides, I don’t go harming my family with no reason.”\n\n\tBlaise glared at Shadorn, wheezing, “You… don’t call a hit like that ‘harming’ someone?! Shit… I feel like a horse kicked me.”\n\n\tShadorn chuckled faintly and shook his head, “Now I’m even with you… Mostly. More importantly, we need to deal with this rogue unit of yours, to avenge my subordinates…”\n\n\tBlaise slowly got back up, huffing, “Take a number. I’ve got some bad blood with their leader too, so I want first piece of him.”\n\n\t“Oh-ho… So you think this is some game, huh?”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “Oh no… This is no game. This is war. Colonel Karazor crossed the line in too many ways, and I’m going to make him pay his dues.”\n\n\tShadorn tilted his head, “Do tell… I’m curious to hear just what this man has done.”\n\n\tAfter a few minutes, Blaise finished a nice, long detailed story about why he hates Colonel Karazor so much… about his hostile advance on Kalira back at the Academy. Shadorn shook his head, rumbling in anger, “You very much hold reason to end this man’s life. Trying to rape someone… It’s unforgivable. This Kalira is close to you, right? Girlfriend?”\n\n\tBlaise suddenly blushed at the question, “Wh… wha? N… No… Um… Not exactly. She’s actually the other member of the two man team I’m a part of.”\n\n\tShadorn smirked again, “…You’re blushing. You’re not admitting what you want to say.”\n\n\tBlaise glared at the Ver’dahnti, “What makes you think that?!”\n\n\tShadorn was ready to reply, when the sound of an approaching bike was heard. His head quickly turned to look for it, “Quick… Hide!” They couldn’t even act to hide fast enough. Thankfully, it was the Peregrine carrying Kalira, Maximar, and Pharstis. \n\nSeeing the pair, Kalira quickly skidded the hover bike to a halt and hopped off of it, storming right over to Blaise and giving him a hard slap across the face with her right handpaw, “Damnit, Blaise! Just how stupid are you?!” \n\nThe action gave Shadorn quite a bouncy show from Kalira’s chest, and immediately, he thought with a deep blush, His thoughts were shattered when he suddenly found Pharstis tackling him with a hug into the side, making him shift a bit off balance, “AWK! Ph… Pharrie? What’re you doing here?”\n\nShadorn found himself getting similar treatment like Blaise, a hard slap hitting him in the face from his little sister, the sorceress sobbing lightly, “You idiot… Don’t go scaring me like that with your goodbye message! And… And stop calling me ‘Pharrie’.”\n\nMaximar stepped forward to Shadorn and nodded with a smile, “Shadorn, I’m glad to see you’re ok. You had us all worried.”\n\nShadorn sighed, patting Pharstis on her back, between her wings, then looked to Maximar, “It is now… Thanks to Blaise here.” He gave a glance over to the Captain, who was rubbing his cheek from Kalira’s slap.\n\nKalira stared at Shadorn, then looked to Blaise, “Had to save him from danger in the nick of time, huh, ‘hero’?”\n\nBlaise shook his head, “Not exactly. Shadorn had already killed his pursuers…”\n\nShadorn shook his head, “No… I let one go before the fight broke out. Fenrir Squadron was mistreating this young kid that they sent out with the hunt group after me, so I… persuaded him to get out and run for his life.”\n\nThe group stared at Shadorn, and Blaise spoke up, “…You let one go, all because he was a kid? I don’t know if that’s the best move, Shad… It could come back and bite us in the end.”\n\nAgain, Shadorn shook his head, “I could hear it in him. The kid was afraid, and they were forcing him to do the most dangerous things and physically abusing him when he clearly showed that he didn’t want to be here, like he didn’t fit in with the rest of them.”\n\nBlaise huffed and shrugged, “Whatever…”\n\nShadorn looked to Blaise, then shrugged. Looking back to Kalira, “Speaking about Blaise saving me, he did happen to heal all my wounds with an aethereal spell… One that I’ve never seen before. The potency was amazing.”\n\nIt was Blaise’s turn to get stared at by Kalira, Maximar, and Pharstis. He instantly felt like a deer in headlights, “Um… aheh… I guess my practice is finally starting to pay off?”\n\nMaximar crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow, “What practice? I’ve never seen you ever try to practice using aetherea.”\n\nKalira put her hands on her hips, eyeing Blaise skeptically, “Max is right, plus we all know you can’t control your aetherea aside from a slight degree.”\n\nShadorn shook his head, “I’m speaking the truth… Blaise used very powerful aetherea to save me from the brink of death.”\n\nPharstis looked up at Shadorn for a moment, then to the others, “My brother isn’t one to lie. Besides, it is true that some people just take more time to get a grasp on their aetherea than others.”\n\nMaximar hmmmed, tapping his beak, “…You do have a point about the aetherea bit.”\n\nKalira sighed, “What matters most though is that no one’s hurt, right?” She gave another glare to Blaise, “Especially you, Blaise… I swear… Jumping into things is going to get you killed one of these days.”\n\nBlaise chuckled uneasily, “Yeah, yeah… Not like this has been the first reckless thing I’ve done in my life.”\n\nShadorn rolled his shoulders and let his arms go of Pharstis, “Now that we’ve had a little chat, I suggest that we go and take the fight back to our foes. What do you all think?”\n\nThe group nodded in agreement. Blaise cracked his knuckles and grinned, “Sounds like a plan, Shadorn. How about you lead the way to the Reliquary?”\n\nShadorn nodded, his body flashing green and transforming into his four-legged, lupine form, looking up to the others with a big wolfish, fangy grin before he started to run off to lead them along. Pharstis and Maximar knew of the ability, so they were rather unconcerned with the change. Kalira and Blaise, on the other hand, just started in awe.\n\nThe Felidari murmured, “…Well that’s something you don’t see every day.”\n\nBlaise blinked, shaking his head, “…No kidding. I just hope I don’t mistake him as some humanoid-craving, mutant wolf in the heat of battle.”\n\nKalira rolled her eyes, then gave a light smack on the back of Blaise’s head, “Yes… That would be rather bad.”\n\nBlaise frowned, rubbing the back of his head, “You know… Getting slapped so many times in one day is not how I want to spend it…”\n\nMaximar and Pharstis looked back to Blaise and Kalira with a bit of a humorous laugh together. With that, the newly expanded group was off to bring the war to Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron.\n\nChapter 24: The Battle At The Reliquary Begins\n\n\tAfter about a half hour of rather uneventful travel through the trees of Syl’phedar Forest, the face of the Ancient Reliquary stood before Blaise and the others a small distance away from the clearing they exited. On top of the lofty staircase leading up to the foyer, their quarry was seen… Colonel Karazor standing there with his arms crossed over his chest. In turn, he saw the invaders coming into his unit’s position. Narrowing his eyes, Blaise drew his swallowblade and started to step forward, pointing the weapon towards him in the air, “KARAZOR!! We’ve come to make you pay!!” Kalira, Maximar, Pharstis, and Shadorn were quick to draw their weapons as well, their faces full of determination. This was it… This was going to be the final battle. With Colonel Karazor out of the picture, all this trouble was bound to end.\n\n\tA large, fang-bearing grin swelled on the Colonel’s muzzle, his bionic eye glowing a bright red. The silver Vulpani took a step forward and chuckled, “Well… Isn’t this a pleasant surpise? Is that really you, little O’Driscoll?” His gaze wandered to eye Kalira, the grin growing even more before he licked his chops a bit, “And I see you’ve brought me a gift. I’ll have to say that you really filled out in all the good places, my dear Kalira… Haven’t been milking yourself enough, have you? Your back must be screaming for mercy.”\n\n\tKalira’s rifle raised swiftly and aimed for right between Karazor’s legs, firing a shot right there. Unfortunately, the well-aimed shot just barely missed with a turning sidestep. The Felidari hissed fiercely, “You’re lucky that shot missed, you vermin…”\n\n\tColonel Karazor kept grinning at Kalira, “You’re a lot feistier than before too… Just the way I like it.”\n\n\tPharstis pushed her glasses up onto the bridge of her beak, eyes narrowing coldly at their target, “Why are you doing this, Colonel? Why cause this madness?”\n\n\tKarazor looked to Pharstis, chuckling, “How else would I conduct a field test?”\n\n\tBlaise gripped the handle of his swallowblade tightly, “-What- field test?”\n\n\t“Tsk… this is what happens when you fall asleep in history class, O’Driscoll,” replied the Vulpani colonel. “Tell me that you’ve heard about Project Geoseed.”\n\n\tBlaise blinked, “…Geoseed?”\n\n\tKalira blinked a bit as well, lowering her rifle, “Project Geoseed… The nanotech physical enhancement system being devised by the late Dr. Matiyus Ralosar, shut down after a lab explosion.” She shook her head, “They said all traces of the project were either lost in obscurity or destroyed in the accident.”\n\n\t“Heheheheheh… Lost in obscurity, yes. Destroyed? No…”\n\n\tMaximar pointed his katana up at Karazor, “So then the wolves inside Taelyn Pass that were mutated were the doing of this Geoseed?”\n\n\tBlaise shook his head, “Then Major Grathtan was in it with you. When he said that even nature itself would turn against everyone, this is what meant.”\n\n\tKarazor laughed, “Who? Oh… yeah, that old buzzard who ‘started a rebellion’… He was too loyal to that brat, Skylia, so he needed a little… suggestion, if you will. That’s another wondrous aspect of Project Geoseed: the ability to control minds, due to the hive mind of the nanobots being linked with the primary seed, as Ralosar labeled it. One little covert operation, and…” He clapped his handpaws together, widening his eye, “BANG! I had a little birdie on my finger, all for me to give orders to… completely without question.”\n\n\tShadorn screeched, spinning his scythe and stabbing the shaft of it into the ground, pointing a finger at the silver Vulpani,“What is it that you want?! Why are you doing all of this?!”\n\n\t“Chaos… Plain and simple. I’m just sowing the seeds of chaos with my new little toy, Geoseed. The Galactic Union was too afraid to pick up the project after the accident, after protestors were saying that they were playing God.” He pointed to himself with a thumb, “They’re just missing out on a golden opportunity, so I happened to find where the remnants of the project were, and I’m taking it on myself to play a little God myself. I plan to cause so much dissent in the Union leadership that they’re ousted and the call for a new leader is made. I’ll step up then, and stop the attacks. Just… like… that… I’m a hero, and then, the Union is mine.”\n\n\tIf there was one time Blaise wished his communicator wasn’t destroyed in the battle in the Strigidian Mountains, this was that time. Karazor gave away all the evidence right here and now, and there was no way to record it. Blaise shook his head and muttered under his breath, knowing that hearsay would not be seen as solid evidence against the colonel. This had to be ended now. Blaise made a slitting motion with his thumb across his throat then gave a thumbs-down directed to Karazor, “I’d rather just label you as ‘You Piece of Rabid Shit’, but… Colonel Verenz Karazor, I hereby sentence you to death, on the charges of murder, conspiracy, and threatening the peace of civilians… How do you plead, fuckhead?”\n\n\t“Guilty as charged. Too bad you’ll never live to even tell anyone!” Before Blaise and the others could react, Colonel Karazor threw out a smoke bomb that burst at the feet of the party, “Just like that bomb, your attempt to stop me is going to go up in smoke! Sundevourer Lance! KILL THEM ALL!!”\n\n\tBy the time the smoke cleared, Karazor was gone, and from the entrance of the Ancient Reliquary, a force twenty-strong, accompanied by two mutated wolves, came rushing out to meet the five companions. Blaise shook his head as he and the others braced for combat, “Take them all out. They all die, whether they surrender or not…” The red-haired Captain’s eyes glowed with a golden flame, his rage beginning to grow.\n\n\tOff a few miles in the forest, Destany was perched up in a tree, looking down at the remnants of the bloody battle Shadorn had with the small group that was hunting him hours earlier, a frown pursed on her beak’s lips, “More of Karazor’s men… What is he up to?”\n\n\tThe mote of light that accompanied the Solra’vir earlier formed by her shoulder and spoke in her serene voice, “I am uncertain, Lady Sol’ryas. It’s foolish to be acting so hostile within the vicinity of the Ancient Reliquary, yet I do not know why he would choose such a place to commit these atrocities.” It went silent for a moment, but then continued, “You do realize you’re overstepping your boundaries decreed by Solravis himself, keeping such close vigil on your son like this…”\n\n\tDestany shook her head, “To be denied to be with my only child is worse than any hell that I may be put in after my passing for disobeying my sacred father.”\n\n\t“Isn’t knowing that he is alive and well enough for you, Lady Sol’ryas?”\n\n\tAgain, the Solra’vir shook her head, “Being one of the world’s Fal’keryn, Serathia, you would never understand…”\n\n\tA sigh came from the light ball, “…Perhaps.” Moments later, Serathia’s halo flared in what seemed to be sudden alarm, “What… What is this sensation? It’s so… so dreadful!”\n\n\tDestany raised an eyebrow and looked behind her, starting to feel the strange, horrific aura approaching, causing a cold chill the run down her spine, “I’ve… never felt anything like it. You don’t suppose it’s…?”\n\n\tSerathia hissed, “It’s probably the only explanation… Neg’Aetherea, the element that drains the strength of all Aetherea.”\n\n\t“But… I thought it was only a rumor?”\n\n\t“Shhh! Quiet… Someone’s approaching.”\n\n\tBelow the Solra’vir and her Fal’keryn companion, two figures dressed in thick, blooming robes with hoods moved through the woods, stopping by the dead, cold bodies of the Sundevourer troopers. The only things visible from under the robes were the figures’ black feathered wings, at least identifying them as either Accipiterran or Phedarian, but… No… Phedarians rarely left Sancta Solaryon, not to mention black ones were rare.\n\n\tOne of them knelt by a trooper’s corpse, putting its grayed handtalon on its forehead, speaking in a deep, hissing male voice, “Well well well… it would seem someone left us some sustenance, Khorvidia… I think it would be rude for us to refuse the gifts left for us.” A dim, black glow formed around the talon and within moments, the body of the trooper shriveled and deflated to a near-skeletal form.\n\n\t“…Yes, Rahvyahn,” spoke the other figure… a female voice, sullen and dark. She, too, lowered herself over a corpse and drained out its shape with her touch.\n\n\t\n\nDestany’s eyes widened at the sight, whispering, “…What… Did those people just siphon out the Aetherea from those soldiers’ bodies?”\n\n\tSerathia spoke in the Solra’vir’s mind, \n\n\tRahvyahn chuckled as he went to drain out a second corpse’s Aetherea, only to look over his shoulder to see Destany jumping down with a screech, “STOP THIS AT ONCE!”\n\n\tA cold smirk grew on Rahvyahn’s beak poking out of his hood, “Oh… well if it isn’t Solravis’s prodigal, little bitch? The mother of the Second Khy’maer herself!”\n\n\tKhorvidia stood up from the corpse she just drained, turning to face Destany, “It’s been a while, Lady Sol’ryas…”\n\n\tDestany blinked, positioning herself into a battle-ready stance, “…Who are you?”\n\n\tThe eyes of the robed pair flared with a vibrant, blood red, and Rahvyahn spoke, “That doesn’t matter, my dear friend… We’re here on some business, and it’s essential that we’re allowed to conduct it. No one… Not even a Solra’vir… NO ONE shall prevent us from succeeding!”\n\n\t Khorvidia sighed, “Rahvyahn, it’s not worth it to fight her. We’re only here for one thing and one thing only… The Second Khy’maer.”\n\nChapter 25: The Nazo’kathi Attack\n\n\tDestany’s stance switched to a much more aggressive one upon hearing Khorvidia bring up their quarry, “…You’re after my son?!”\n\n\tRahvyahn grinned, “Of course, you stupid bitch. You remember the First Khy’maer’s prophecy, right?” He crossed his arms, “”With the birth of the Second Khy’maer, my return shall be nigh… and the world shall cease to exist upon my second coming.” It is our job to make sure the prophecy becomes a reality, and we shall use him to do so!”\n\n\t“It will never happen… You’d have to first go through me before ever laying a hand on him, and I doubt he’d ever help you!” screeched the Solra’vir, whose ire was flaring up greatly.\n\n\tRahvyahn tsked, shaking his head, “Always such a rebel against fate. All things shall and will come to their ends… but if you’re going to stand up against us, so be it. Feasting off your Aetherea will be a treat, and sure to give me gratuitous amounts of energy for quite some time. Khorvidia! Let’s teach this fool a lesson!”\n\n\tWith a swing of their arms, Rahvyahn and Khorvidia threw their robes off, revealing themselves to be dressed in highly scarred and defiled Solra’vir armor. In a flash of light within their talons, a halberd and staff materialized in Rahvyahn and Khorvidia’s grasps respectively. The sight of the pair’s armor was horrifying. Who were these people, and why were they equipped in such things? It was a question that would have to wait, as they rushed right for Destany. “SERATHIA!! MATERIALIZE!!” She had to even the odds at once, and thankfully, calling upon Serathia was the right way of doing that! \n\nThe mote of light exploded into shape, taking form of a 9 foot tall, pure white Phedarian with four wings of iridescent light and a halo over her head. Serathia formed her own two sabers of radiating light into her talons and screeched in fury as she joined in the combat.\n\nRahvyahn smirked, “Oh ho… You must be getting up in your years and out of practice, Lady Sol’ryas! Already summoning your Fal’keryn?” \n\nHe took a wide swing at Destany, but she easily dodged it. She glared at the attacker and gave him a swift kick in the side followed by a backhand, forcing him to stagger back, “Still your tongue. I am not so easily brushed aside like some weakling just because I’ve grown in age!”\n\n“You’ve left yourself open, Lady Sol’ryas…” murmured Khorvidia raised a spell-armed talon at Destany as she rushed in at her flank, but Serathia was fast to change her target. Using the light the forest provided, as dim as it was, she used her elemental powers to displace herself instantly in front of the incoming attack and deflect it with a parry of her blades.\n\nSerathia shoved Khorvida back hard with a shoulder block, “Lady Sol’ryas, I shall handle her! You take on the male!” Quickly, she bolted off to the sky, and Khorvida seemed happy to follow the Fal’keryn.\n\nDestany huffed, ducking under another swing of Rahvyahn’s halberd, “What… does it look like I’m doing?!” She spun around on her knee, lashing out with a leg to sweep out her foe’s legs, but he quickly flipped back to avoid the attack.\n\nRahvyahn snarled, coming forward with a flurry of rapid thrusts with the pike end of his weapon at Destany, “It looks like you’re getting lucky dodging my attacks! Stop it!!” Whether it was luck or skill, he was right. Destany was making a joke of him, or at least it seemed she was. The most his thrusts were able to do were make small nicks and cuts on various parts of her clothing.\n\nA sly smirk formed on Destany’s beak at Rahvyahn’s complaint, “Stop dodging? Very well!” With a bellowing scream, the black feathered male jammed his halberd right through the Solra’vir’s stomach, but her face showed no pain… In fact, it felt like the thrust had no resistance on entering her body!\n\n“What? Are you some kind of masochist, n--?” said Rahvyahn with a raised eyebrow, but he was cut off when his impaled target suddenly flickered and faded out, “…A displacement illu--?!”\n\nBefore he could even react, Destany was behind him with the palms of her handtalons glowing with white light, “Either you leave yourself open on purpose, or you’re just really a pathetic, wanna-be threat… HAH!” A double “open-clam” palm fist strike hit Rahvyahn hard in the small of his back, a large explosion of force blooming out from the hit and catapulting him forward like a hominid missile, hard through a pair of trees and splintering them in two from the force of his impact into them! Destany smiled faintly, seeming quite satisfied with the decisive strike she placed, “My guess is on the lat—“\n\nUnfortunately for her, she was cut off as a force bubble formed around her, trapping her into helplessness. It appeared that Serathia was focused too much on Khorvidia that she didn’t notice a silent casting of an entrapment spell. The ebon hen landed and went to help Rahvyahn up, who was rather scuffed up from his flight through the trees. Khorvidia frowned, shaking her heard, “We’ve wasted too much time with this play. You’re delaying us too much.” Serathia was not going to allow harm to come to Destany though, as she quickly swooped down in front of the bubble and in between it and the two attackers.\n\nRahvyahn screeched in pure rage, staggering and ready to tear Destany apart, “You fucking bitch… I’m going to kill you for that! I’m goin—“\n\nKhorvidia sighed, clamping her companion’s beak shut with her handtalon, “Quiet, you bloodthirsty fool… You’ll get your chance to put an end to her. The Second Khy’maer is our objective, not her…”\n\nRahvyahn hissed in anger, “But she got in the way and—“ A sudden rumble was felt quaking the ground, which made both Rahvyahn and Corvidia, and Destany and Serathia stare in the direction of which the pulse came from.\n\nKhorvidia murmured, “…That energy.” After a moment of contemplation, she looked to her companion, “He is here, Rahvyahn… We must depart and intercept him at once…”\n\nRahvyahn growled, throwing up his arms in disgust, “Fine!!” He then pointed at Destany, “Just you wait… Next time we meet, you won’t be so lucky!” Quickly, the pair took swift flight through the woods in the direction of the Ancient Reliquary.\n\nDestany screeched, “NO! We have to follow them!” She was ready to move, but she was unsure of what the bubble would to do her if she touched it.\n\nSerathia frowned, starting to channel a dispel on Destany’s prison, “We shall, but it’s going to take some time getting you out of this… Now hold still…” The Fal’keryn pondered why the pair they just fought were wearing what appeared to be Solra’vir gear. Regardless, the situation was severe, as they were after Blaise, and with Destany trapped, the ball was in their court now. Serathia had to work fast to free Destany, so they could quickly intercept them.\n\nChapter 26: Blaise’s Awakening\n\n\tIt took some time, but the entire horde of Sundevourers and Geoseed-altered wolves that Colonel Karazor sent after Blaise and his crew were either dying or dead, and they managed to push into the Reliquary itself. The group was winded a bit, lightly wounded here and there, but in general, were doing quite ok… and were ready for round two.\n\n\tBlaise ripped his swallowblade out of the back of a heavily mutated Geoseed wolf and panted, “That bastard’s going to die once I get my hands on him!” He seemed different, in a rather frightening way now, the aura in his eyes seemed to be gently blooming over his body now, giving a golden aura around him… and it kept the others keeping his distance from him somewhat, especially Pharsti", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Chapter 1: Preparations

\tThe doors shut closed, and the halls were dimmed with their insufficient lighting, provided by the flickering ceiling lamps and grime-caked windows. Two figures were standing there against the walls. The one was a slender human in his early 20s with somewhat long, fiery red hair and sunglasses on his face. He was dressed in an open, dark blue jacket and dark red camoflague pants, a plate of body armor under the coat with two shoulderpads, the left one emblazoned with a black griffon with a red “13” in the center of it. He put a finger to his ear and spoke quietly, “Cardinal… This is Crusader-1 and Crusader-2… in position inside the complex. Attempting to proceed to second floor.”

\t<Roger that, Crusader-1. Command has advised to eliminate any opposition with extreme prejudice. Just remember though… If that shot on Grathtan misses, get out and fast. Last thing we need is the Lucky 13th not living up to its rep, getting its first casualties.> replied a female voice over the communicator.

\t“Heh… Don’t count on us disappointing you, Cardinal. I’ll make the shot just fine. Count on it,” said the figure who accompanied the human.... a black leather, trenchcoat-clad Felidarian, one who very much resembled the white tigers of Earth, though with much more humanoid qualities to her and similar in age to her companion. Long, spiky brunette hair ran down the back of her neck, the bangs held up by the goggles on her forehead. She carefully unstrapped her longrifle from her back, fixing her rather strained white tubetop a bit with one of her hands, muttering, “Honestly… you’d think the Union would have learned by now that I need larger tops, Blaise… What’s the big idea?”

\tThe red-haired man looked to the felinoid with a bit of a smirk, unable to help a glance at her rather endowed chest, then back to her, snickering, “Well, Kali, I can guess that Command doesn’t want certain parts of you flying around and slowing you down.” Yet his mind wandered a bit, a light blush forming on his cheeks, (Though… I wouldn’t mind watching them bounce a bit…)

\tKalira (or as Blaise calls her Kali) raised an eyebrow at the blushing Blaise, growling a bit, “Yeah… Bullshit… I see your red face. Get your mind out of the gutter, Blaise. We’ve got work to do…”

\tBlaise put a hand to his mouth and coughed, glancing away, “Y… Yeah… Right.” He moved forward and waved to Kalira, “Come on up… Hear anything in the halls?”

\tThe felinoid gracefully padded against the wall, putting her keen hearing to good use, glancing down left, then right at the T-shaped intersection, “…Hmmm, definitely not alone.” She said that, for off towards the right, a pair of voices speaking in Common could be heard, both male, with a distinctive accent that came right off as Accipiterran. Kalira got down low, tail swishing as she snuck up closer to listen in. The falls of her bare footpaws and hands were completely silent, much like the feral predator she resembled. Once at the corner, she leaned up against the wall, longrifle at the ready as she peeked around slightly from the shadows, seeing a pair of guards standing near double doors to their left.

\t“I can’t understand it. Why would Major Grathtan want to attack the throne of Hau’khaven? I can understand he isn’t that happy about Princess Skylia deciding to have our kind join that Galactic Union, but—” asked a smaller, armored Accipiterran.

\tA much larger, heftier one shook his head, “—But what? That little bitch sold us out. She completely has forgotten about the independence that our people live for!”

\t“But we’ve always coexisted with the Phedarians. What’s the big deal about it?”

\t“There you go with your damn, young-minded ideals, kid! First of all, the Phedarians freak me out, living all secluded and shit in Sol’phedar. We’ve always been better off without them, plus I don’t trust that Union one bit. By joining with it, she threw out the two sacred principles of Accipiterra: Pride and Freedom. Because of her, we’ll be under the command of aliens, not our people. Just you watch!”

\tKalira blinked at the conversation, looking back over to the intersection of the hall where Blaise was and waving him over, whispering, “Did you get that?”

\tBlaise nodded, pulling a baton from his belt and pressing a button down on it, causing both ends to flip open and extend out a long, 3’ curved blade each, double sword to some, swallowblade to others. He nodded, murmuring back, “Yeah… Patriotism gone wrong… Regardless, we can’t let them attack the Monarchy like they plan to. I’ll take the fat ass, Kali… You take the kid.”

\t“Right…”

\t“Ok… On three. One… Two…”

Chapter 2: The Lucky 13th Makes Its Move

\t“THREE!” whispered Blaise in a sharp tone as he rushed out into the open view, swallowblade behind him, eyes burning with determination. He thought, (Subtlety, my ass. That’s not my style!)

Almost instantly, Kalira bent around the corner and took aim with her rifle, firing the silenced weapon at the younger guard, who grabbed his shoulder in pain as the shot made its mark. The result was enough to cause her to hiss in disgust as Blaise’s rush caused her target to jolt in shock and alter the course of her shot.

Eyes wide, the plump guard was ready to scream out an alert, but he was a second too late, as Blaise’s weapon thrust forward, right into his wide throat, only allowing him to gurgle out a flood of blood from his beak with silenced gasps. Blaise smirked, “Can’t have you calling your friends, fatty…” Unfortunately for Blaise, the younger guard used the adrenaline gifted unto him through his pain and rushed at the human, slashing his sword. Quickly though, Blaise swung his arm out, catching the blade into his forearm with a noticeable cut in his skin, using his momentum to rip his blade out of the throat of his fallen target and cleaving off the other guard’s head with a wide, single slash, splashing the Captain with quite a bit of blood. Almost like a chicken, the birdman’s body staggered around, arms flailing, legs wobbling for a few short moments until it collapsed. Angrily, Blaise held at the cut on his arm, “Ok… that’s it. Getting cut by one of these feathered freaks just put my bad mood up to a new level…”

Kalira winced just a bit at all the blood all over Blaise’s front, “…Blaise? What’re you thinking of doing?”

“I’m going to kick all their asses. That’s what.”

“What about being discreet?”

“Pfft… Being discreet’s for pussies. Besides, Kali… I think we should have some fun now.”

“Blaise, what’s so fun about an assassination?”

“What’s fun about them? Because you can do stuff like this!”

“Oh no, Blai—“

With a wild rush for the door, Blaise leapt into the air and dropkicked through it with his momentum. Needless to say, his actions got attention rather quickly, as he found four guards in a large room… Two right in front of him, and another pair some distance away by some doors to his right, at the north end of the room, the quartet completely bewildered by the gung-ho display. Kalira growled and shook her head, lifting her firearm, “Damn it, Blaise. You always have to show off, don’t you?!” With the pull of the trigger, the back of the first guard’s helmet shattered open as the back of his brains blew out from the rifle’s shot, and before the one behind him could do anything, he was felled by a leaping kick to the face and subsequent impalation through his chest by Blaise’s swallowblade. Blaise ripped his blade out of the fallen guard’s chest and spun around to face the other two guards who were charging at the pair… One each for both of them. Blaise gritted his teeth and roared with a charge of his own at his opponent and a mean left hook, but his blow was well telegraphed and dodged, which lead to a hard kick by the guard’s talon into his abdomen, forcing the Captain to stagger back with a grunt. As Kalira was about to deal with her own opponent, a loud crash was heard behind him as the other door leading in from the opposite end of the hall smashed open with a hard kick with two more guards… more than likely the other pair heard when the first entered. Three against one? Hardly fair odds, but then again, this was the Lucky 13th. They were trained to deal with high-risk situations.

Kalira glanced behind her to see the two coming in, only to look back at her previous foe who started to rush at her with a wide slash with his short sword. The Felidari ranger was a swift and acrobatic woman, even with her bountiful curves, whipping up into a backwards flipkick. Her foot smacked hard into the guard’s swordhand, expertly kicking the blade upward and impaling it through the room’s ceiling! Mid-flip, Kalira switched off a special safety on the grip of her rifle, taking aim in an aerial, inverted position and firing at the two entering guards who remained from the entrance hall. The beam of the shot split mid-flight into a V-spread pattern, one each going right between the eyes of both, causing them to drop dead right on the spot. Upon landing on her feet and a hand, Kalira grinned… shaking her head at her disarmed foe, then glanced over to see Blaise spinning around and slashing across his opponents stomach, the armored avian’s guts spilling out before he slumped over lifeless. Upon seeing this, the disarmed guard yelped and stammered, turning tail and running for the doors to the north, jiggling at the handle in panic to try and escape from the superior Union operatives.

Blaise was having none of it though, screaming in rage as he gave a rush at the hapless, fleeing guard, “Get back here, you feathered piece of shit!” The Captain was like a charging jousting knight… without the horse, with his swallowblade lowered. It wasn’t long before Blaise’s blade slid through the back of the remaining Accipiterran and out his stomach with a wet *SHNNNNNNNNK*, and with Blaise’s speed, the doors crashed down with a thundering slam. The result was an Accipterran guard sandwich, the dead victim the beef patty… the door and Blaise the buns, complete with a swallowblade cocktail toothpick! Before Blaise could do anything else though, he heard a chirp of sudden shock from above him. He glanced up, finding himself in a stairwell leading up to the next floor, with a rather alarmed guard looking down at him, somewhat frozen in indecisiveness on what to do… Makes sense, really, considering he just saw a door smash out of its hinges with a rather agitated intruder impaling an ex-colleague of his with his weapon. Before the guard could react to Blaise’s less than elegant entrance into the stairwell, Kalira lifted her longrifle up and shot him twice, both beams ripping through the guard’s right knee, blowing the leg off from the knee down. Swiftly, Blaise rushed up the stairs to the agonized guard and finished him off with a thrust through his chest. “Phew! Well that was fun! Wasn’t it, Kal—“

With a hiss, Kalira was right behind him, smacking Blaise upside the back of his head and narrowing her eyes, “You stupid ass! Do you always have to be so reckless?”

Blaise acked, rubbing his head from the scolding and the blow from his compatriot, “You know me all too well, Kali… I’m good at making things more exciting. Besides, did you really think we would’ve been able to pull out each guard one by one from that room?”

Kalira sighed, starting to pad up the stairs past Blaise for the second floor door, “Point taken, but you turned a fight with four guards into six with all the racket you caused smashing through that door.” She looked back to him and shook her head, “It’s surprising that you haven’t alerted Major Grathtan to us being in here. With an attitude like that, I don’t know how you’ve been given a commission of Captain, Blaise. We think things out carefully, not just go and throw everything to the wind.”

Blaise looked down as he started to follow her up, “Okay, okay… I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more careful, ok?”

Kalira smiled a bit, patting him on the shoulder, “Look, you know me, Blaise. You’re the last person I want to see getting hurt… or worse. I mean well with my scolding, even if you -are- a higher rank than me.”

Blaise chuckled lightly, rolling his eyes, “I know. You’re lucky I’m not some tight-assed, rank-flaunting officer like some other people.”

A giggle left the Felidari’s lips, “Don’t have to remind me about that… So how about we try to do the rest of this a bit more quietly, hmm?”

“Ok, sure… We’ll do it your way, this time, Kali…”

She put out a pinky finger and went eye to eye with him , “Promise?”

Blaise just stared at her in shock, “…You can’t be serious. You’re making me take a pinky swear on it?”

Kalira smirked with a purr, putting her pinky out further at him, “If you don’t, I just might have to tell father about your reckless tirade a few minutes ago.”

Blaise muttered, locking his pinky with hers and looking away from her at the door leading to the second floor hall, “Yeah… I know how harsh Uncle Leo can be with his discipline. Ok, I promise… Really…” Blaise recalled all the years he lived with Kalira and her parents, Leonis and Adela… his “uncle” and “aunt” due to his father’s close ties with her father, Drake O’Driscoll. Blaise never really grew out of his terrible twos, constantly being a magnet for trouble... usually through his own choice. With all the trouble he caused, Uncle Leo would punish in dividends, most often with a lengthly grounding. Granted, that was when he was a child and teenager. Now, “Uncle Leo” was Colonel Leonis Rasaris, Blaise and Kalira’s executive officer, so any publicized discipline problem wouldn’t lead to punishment for Blaise, it’d be a heavy blemish on their famed unit, the Lucky 13th.

Kalira just smiled to him, opening the door to the hall slowly and peeking out. The coast was clear. As she entered, she readied her rifle and waved Blaise to follow her in. The pair moved down the 30 foot stretch, keeping low enough to avoid being too noticeable in any windows along the way. As the hall turned left, she peeked around, spotting the latest pair of rebel guards, quietly paying no mind to their jobs and just loitering around. Carefully, Kalira raised the scope of her rifle to her eye, focusing right in on the head of the guard on the right. With a pull of the trigger, Kalira easily felled him with a headshot through the side. Jumping at the sudden development, his friend hurried over and stooped down to see if he was ok, as worthless as it was, “H… huh? Lothur? Lothur?! What happened, Lo—“ Even before he could react in defense, the last thing the other guard saw was Blaise rushing at high speed for him and a swallowblade swinging right for his jugular. With them out of the way, Blaise and Kalira continued down the hall, taking the right turn along the way and come up upon a door on the right wall, in which a distinctive voice could be heard within.

Blaise narrowed his eyes, putting his hand on the handle of the door, murmuring, “…This is it, Kali. You ready for this?”

Kalira nodded. With that, Blaise quietly opened the door and peeked inside, seeing a lone guard looking out a window in the east wall.

Chapter 3: If At First You Don’t Succeed…

\tBlaise crept into the room undetected, lashing out to grab the sentry by the back of his neck, “Hey… Enjoying the view, birdie?” Before his victim could tell out for help, Blaise lashed him out of view from the window and pressed him up against the wall with his swallowblade thrusting up into his chest, giving it a good twist before pulling it out and letting him slump down into eternal rest. With the chance open, Kalira moved up to the window and knelt down, setting her longrifle up for her most important shot of the day. She could see a large Accipiterran who resembled a harpy eagle, white and gray with dashes of black in his feathers, moving his arms quite energetically as he seemed to be speaking to four other rebel troops with him.

\t

\t“We will not take the Princess’s transgression on our sacred beliefs! We shall stand up against her and force her to push back the encroachment of the Galactic Union. And if she doesn’t, we’ll make sure that she and all of her supporters will paid with their lives. We’ll even make sure that the wild creatures of this world shall turn against her! Glory to Accipiterra!”

\tThe four guards with him pumped their arms up with a loud roar of approval in their leader’s speech, but Kalira narrowed her eyes as she continued to try and steady her strangely shaking handpaws, “…The hell is this weirdo talking about? Turn wild creatures against people?”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, taking note of the shaking handpaws of the Felidari ranger, “…You’re shaking, Kali… This isn’t like you.” Kalira? Nervous on a sniping mission, at the worst time possible? Well that just made things more interesting.

\tKalira growled quietly, “I’m… I’m fine.” Her sight trembled with her shaking, causing her difficulty to grab a good lock on Major Grathtan’s head.

\tBlaise shook his head, “Come on, Kali… Pull yourself together…”

\tShe growled again, not saying a word and taking a deep breath… pulling the trigger. The pulse beam of her rifle zipped right towards the leader, and just barely missed him over the head… the shot even missing his large wings. Kalira hissed and ducked down with a shake of her head, “DAMNIT!”

\tThe team’s communicator buzzed in quickly, <Crusader 1 and 2, what’s your status? Lieutenant Rasaris’s heart rate just spiked through the roof! Report!>

\tKalira sat against the wall, panting with her eyes closed, continually muttering a chain of “damnits” to herself, Blaise answering with a straight face, “This is Crusader 1, Cardinal… Situation’s normal. Just a bit of pre-assassination-shot jitters.”

\t<…Acknowledged. You have your orders, Crusader Team,> noted the communicator before cutting off.

\tBlaise sighed, then looked to Kalira, putting a hand on her shoulder, “Kali, snap out of it. Where did all that confidence go?”

\tKalira looked up to Blaise and shook lightly, “We need to get out of here… I just missed the shot, Blaise. Why did you lie to Command that I missed? Why?!”

\tBlaise looked out the window quickly, and surprisingly… Nothing seemed to change with Grathtan and his four cronies. Grathtan stood there smug as ever, watching the others continue to cheer his rally on. Did he not even notice the missed shot? Blaise then looked back to Kalira, thumbing towards the open window, “Doesn’t look like your first shot counted… considering Birdbrain’s less than keen perception. Try again. I know you can do this, Kali… Come on…”

\tKalira looked back out, taking note of the situation, then nodded to Blaise, “O… Okay…” Once again, she set up her longrifle with a deep breath to calm her nerves, eye going to her scope once more. (Come on, Kalira… You’ve done this before in simulators with perfect grades. Why are you having so much trouble now?) she thought to herself while she concentrated. (Close everything out around you, girl… You can make this.) And close things off, she did… She put all her focus on the back of Grathtan’s head, her grip calming, all nervousness bleeding out from her psyche, (There we go… Just you and him, Kalira. Show him how good of a shot you really are…) The tigress was silent.

\tBlaise blinked, “…Kali? Come on… We don’t have all day you know.”

\tKalira either wasn’t listening or just didn’t hear Blaise in her little world though. Feeling confident with her steady aim, she moved to pull the trigger, but then… of all things, a sparrow fluttered by her scope, causing her to barely jolt in her aim. Such an unfortunate turn of events, as the slight movement shifted the path of her shot from Grathtan’s skull into his right shoulder, causing the rebel leader to screech in pain and the others with him to go into full alert with drawn weapons! This time, the failure brought severe consequences. The voice of Grathtan could be heard screeching in adrenaline-fueled rage, most likely into a radio he had on him, <Skylia’s lapdogs are here! Find them and kill them!!!> considering Blaise and Kalira heard an echo of the call coming from the dead guard in the room.

\tKalira hissed in disgust with her second miss, getting up and starting to bolt out of the room, “I can’t believe it… If I ever find that damn bird that zipped by my scope, I’ll shaft it onto a kabob!”

\tBlaise shook his head, following suit in Kalira’s escape, “Good luck with that…” He then tapped the communicator on his ear, “Cardinal, this is Crusader 1… Mission’s a failure. I repeat. Mission failed.”

\t<Get out of there then. You did what you could.>

\tBlaise and Kalira had no opposition running the way they came, hearing the voices of Grathtan and his cohorts on the radios of the dead in the dim-lighted complex.

\t<Major! No one’s answering the comm at all!>

\t<No one?! Is everyone asleep or something?!>

\t<Major, there’s a window wide open on the second floor!>

\t<…Those bastards went through the storehouse and shot from there! Hurry! We’ll cut them off before they can escape!>

\tRushing down the said, Blaise snatched up one of the radios from a dead guard, bringing it up to his mouth, “My, my, my… Aren’t we the perceptive one, Featherduster? So perceptive that you didn’t notice a rifle shot zip over your head…” The comment made Kalira look to Blaise rather incredulously as they continued to make their escape.

\t<…Who is this?>

\t“Oh, just the cleaning crew, and I have to say we did quite the mop-up job with everyone in your base.”

\t<Everyone?>

\t“What are you? Deaf? I said everyone… Let me think… Two… Eight… Twelve… Yeah… Twelve guys dead sounds just about right… and that’s not counting the eight or so we killed sneaking into the building.”

\t<Insolence… You lie!>

\t“If I’m lying, then I wouldn’t be telling the truth when I say you’re going to get your wings clipped off before we take you out.”

\t<Over my dead body, intruder!>

\t“Just the way I like it, Fluffy,” replied Blaise. By then, he and Kalira made it to the front doors and threw them open in force, coming out into a courtyard with a large tent in the center of it, with the front gates about fifty yards to the south of the tent. No sooner than they came out of the building, Grathtan and his four comrades tore around the side, weapons drawn. Needless to say, the harpy eagle Accipiterran was seething, even more so once his eyes locked on the pair of intruders.

\t“KILL THEM!!!” thundered the rebel leader. Morale was high only for a short moment for the five, when a sudden sound of rushing air was heard… a blurring winged figure barely seen heading for Grathtan. With the wet, tearing sound of feathered flesh in duet with a blood-curdling screech of agony, the left wing of Grathtan fell off of his back in a spray of blood as the figure made itself known… a slender, male, bald eagle-like Accipiterran in red-dyed leather armor, armed with a very long two-handed katana was knelt in front of the rebel leader. It would appear that his blade made quite the clean cut on Grathtan’s wing, clipping it clean off, with Blaise and Kalira staring in disbelief.

Blaise couldn’t help but comment with a smirk and shake of his head, tossing the radio he had over his shoulder, “Looks like I was half right.”

Grathtan’s screaming silenced quickly as Kalira raised her rifle and fired, putting a shot right between the leader’s eyes, growling loudly, “…Third time’s a charm, asshole.” She then glanced over to Blaise, who was already rushing at two of the remaining rebels, “Blaise! Orders on the butcher who just helped cut down Grathtan?”

Blaise spun around and hacked his swallowblade hard into one of the fear-stricken entourage members, “Hold your fire on him! Friend or foe, he -did- take Grathtan out. We’ll question him later!”

Kalira nodded, then looked back towards the katana-wielding Accipiterran, only to see him rush at another guard, pivoting and spinning around on a foot talon and screeching in rage as he swung down his mighty blade in a vertical slash, “May Solravis have mercy on you, sinner!” The blade slid through its target like a hot knife through butter, from the top of the head to the bottom of the groin, a look of terror on his face before he fell to his knees, the impact causing the unfortunate Accipiterran guard to peel open from top to bottom with a wet sound and into two split halves with quite a lot of red liquid and organs spilling out all over the place. The grotesque slaughter was enough to make Kalira wretch and cover her muzzle, feeling like she could vomit from the horrible visage caused by the mystery fighter’s expert swordsmanship. It didn’t bode well for the rebel nearby either, who instantly emptied his bladder in his pants in pure fear and cried in fright as he dropped his weapon and ran to hide behind the tent, but Kalira shook her disgust off quickly, and rushed to cut him off.

Within seconds, he ran into her path and put his hands up, “I surren—“ only to get a shot from Kalira’s rifle into his knee, cutting his plea off and causing him to turn tail and start hobbling away as quickly as he could for safety. No dice for him though, as Blaise cleaved down the other opponent he took on alone, and turned to see his escape. So, too, did the red-armored avian, his eyes narrowing with fierceness. The pair started to rush for him, and once again, the remaining rebel put his hands up, dropping to his knees, “I… I surrender! Please don—“ his voice cutting off in death when Kalira took a shot from behind through his head. The entire complex was deathly silent…

Blaise sighed, retracting the blades on his swallowblade and reclipped it back to his belt, ruffling his moppy red hair with his hands, then glaring right at the katana-wielding avian, pointing a finger right at him, “You… Who the hell are you, and why are you here? Civilians shouldn’t be out playing hero!”

The avian narrowed his eyes, sheathing his katana on his back, “I’m no civilian, sir…”

Blaise crossed his arms over his chest, “Then just who are you?”

“I am Maximar Ki’lores, Solra’vir Initiate of the Order of Serathia. I’ve been dispatched to fi—“

Blaise raised an eyebrow and cut off Maximar, putting his hands up, “Whoa whoa whoa… How about you speak in a tongue we can both understand?”

Kalira sighed, stepping forward with a facepalm, “And you wonder why you barely got a passing grade in Interracial Culture and Etiquette, Blaise…” She looked over to Blaise with a slightly annoyed face, “The Order of Serathia is the last remaining order of the Solra’vir to date. They are an organization of knighthood who serves as the protectors of Accipiterran-Phedarian interests and their deity’s wrathful hand upon those who threaten the innocent.”

The felinoid’s explanation made Maximar blink, but smile lightly, “…You seem to know well about us then.”

Kalira looked to the avian and giggled, shrugging, “Nah… That’s really all I know about your order. I know there’s a lot of mysterious lore behind it still. I only stated what I knew.”

Blaise rolled his eyes, muttering to himself, “Know-it-all…” He then looked at Maximar quietly, crossing his arms again, eventually saying, “…So you came here to stop Grathtan too then, and alone to boot. Nice of you to make such an entrance at the last, best second. Glory hound, much?”

“I didn’t seek glory at all… only the safety of those threatened by traitors!”

Blaise got right up into Maximar’s beak, only to get pushed aside by Kalira before he could snap back. She sighed, “Don’t you find it a bit unusual though… that one of the most honored and trusted officers under Princess Skylia would just turn against his leader at the snap of the finger? Hardly, I can’t imagine that he wanted to do what he did, all because she unified with the Union to build relations and the safety of everyone on Accipiterra.”

Maximar tilted his head to the feline, “You’re definitely of a sounder mind than your human friend over there… But yes, I agree that his turning was rather sudden and over something rather trivial.” He looked between the human and Felidari, then offered a handtalon, “So what are your names?”

Kalira took the talon into her paw and shook it, smiling, “I’m Lieutenant Kalira Rasaris…” He then looked back at a somewhat agitated-looking Blaise, “And that’s my Captain, Blaise O’Driscoll. Both active members of the 13th Squadron… A.K.A. The Lucky 13th, Gryphon Squadron.”

“…Gryphon Squadron? O’Driscoll?” inquired Maximar, only to get cut off by the sound of shrieking jet engines. He, along with Blaise and Kalira looked up, seeing a Lynx-class bomber soaring rapidly for the complex.

Kalira stared in shock at the approaching bomber, “…What in the world…?” That shock turned to fear when she saw the ordinance bays opening and two missiles launching right for the complex!

Blaise was quick to react, “DIVE FOR COVER!!!” and the others were quick to follow. The three threw themselves into some bushes to the side, but little did they know that they were jumping right now a rather steep incline instead of solid level ground as the complex exploded in a huge fireball behind them. The plummet wasn’t as hard for Maximar though, as he reacted quickly enough to open his wings to glide down, managing to even grasp Kalira’s wrist with one of his foot talons. Blaise wasn’t so lucky on the other hand, forced to tumble down rapidly downward, eventually landing face and belly first into a large puddle of mud below! The display had Kalira unable to help a slight giggle, and Maximar, a bit of a smirk.

By the time Kalira landed softly with the aid of Maximar, Blaise pulled himself out of the mud, muttering and mad as a hornet, “Son of a bitch…” He tapped his ear communicator, “COMMAND!! Who the hell ordered that airstrike?!”

<Airstrike? Is that what that loud explosion was?>

“I think you would know SOMETHING about it…”

<N… No… We never gave the order for any airstrike. Are you certain it was one of ours?>

“I doubt the Accipiterran rebels we dealt with had access to a Lynx, let alone any reason to bomb their own hideout!”

<…We’ll look into it. Are you injured?>

“Nothing except my hygiene, jumping down a steep hill and falling face first into a puddle of muck… and by the way, Grathtan and all his troops are dead. Ran into him during Kalira and I were running out. Had a bit of help from this Maximar Ki’lores guy.”

<Well that definitely puts a positive turn on the report… Let’s see… Satellites triangulate you and the Lieutenant not too far off from the original departure path, but we won’t be able to extract you until you go through Taelyn Pass, which you’re now in due to your little tumble down the hill. Is Mr. Ki’lores with you?>

Blaise eyed the tall avian, then nodded, “…He is.”

<Have him come with you then. He’ll be helpful for making your full report on what happened. Command out.> With that, the communicator cut off.

Blaise wiped at the mud on his face and sighed, looking to Kalira and Maximar, who both couldn’t keep a straight face, “Oh, just let it out already… We have new orders though, Kali… We need to move through to the north, through this Taelyn Pass that we’re in now, and meet up at the original extraction point… and we’re supposed to bring Max along with us for the report.”

The katana-wielding Accipiterran raised an eyebrow, “…My name is Maximar.”

Blaise scoffed and shrugged, “Maximar… Max… Makes no difference to me. Let’s get a move on before they decide to leave without us.”

With that, the trio started to make their move through Taelyn Pass, though the uncalled airstrike continually stabbed Blaise in the back of his mind… Who was behind it?

Chapter 4: Taelyn Pass

\tFor about five minutes, the trek through Taelyn Pass was quiet… Occasionally though, Blaise was silently shooting dirty, angry looks at Maximar, thinking things to himself… (I don’t trust this guy… We’re out here, fighting Accipiterran thugs planning to overthrow the monarchy’s leader… and then he comes to show off and pretty much finish off Grathtan for us. Who does he think he is?)

\tMaximar finally caught those glances directed at him, raising an eyebrow, “…Can I help you, Captain?”

\tBlaise stopped walking then turned to face their new companion, “I think you can, Max…”

\t“…My name’s Maximar.”

\t“Whatever you say, Max.” Blaise’s insistence made Kalira roll her eyes, but Maximar seemed to pass off the transgression as the Captain continued, “Were you out here on orders, or were you just out here on your own little reckless crusade?”

\tMaximar narrowed his eyes a bit, “…First of all, the Solra’vir do not act out missions without reason.” He then shook his head, looking back along the path they travelled so far, “Second of all, my main mission here was to keep Grathtan from spreading some sort of toxin into the wilderness here… or so I was told. Grathtan got in the way, and then… that airstrike from your people destroying the complex happened.”

\tKalira tilted her head, “…A toxin, you say? What kind of toxin?”

\tMaximar shrugged, “I have no clue. We’ve had no information on what it could be.”

\t“Sounds like a load of baloney to me… Kalira and I didn’t see any kind of containers with biohazard markings during our little run-through of the complex,” scoffed Blaise.

\tKalira eyed Blaise, “That’s true, but at the same time, don’t you remember what Grathtan was saying before I tried to snipe him?” Maximar blinked when hearing the Felidari ranger say this, then looked to Blaise.

\tBlaise hmmmed, crossing his arms and looking down, “Something about letting wild creatures loose all around the world…? What’s that got to do with anything?”

\tKalira frowned at Blaise, “Think, hothead… What if this toxin that Maximar’s talking about had something to do with infecting wildlife?”

\tBlaise threw his arms up and rolled his eyes, “Oh -c’mon-, Kali! You’re going to believe Bird Boy’s toxin tale?! We completed what we had to do, and that was kill Grathtan… and here you are, thinking there’s still something deeper to all of this!”

\tMaximar screed lowly at Blaise, “Then how do you explain that ‘misplaced’ airstrike that you weren’t expecting?”

\tKalira nodded, eyeing Blaise, “Maximar’s got a point. Command even said that they never ordered that airstrike at all, so something’s definitely fishy here.”

\tBlaise sighed, rubbing his head a bit, “…Yeah, I guess you’re right. I still can’t buy the toxin bit though, just because we didn’t see any evidence of that.”

\tMaximar looked to Blaise, “Look, Captain O’Driscoll… I’m not an enemy. If anything, I want to be a friend… It’s just you were fast to start accusing me.”

\tKalira nodded, looking to Maximar, “Don’t worry about it, Maximar. Blaise means well. It’s just he’s had a complicated life.”

\tMaximar blinked, “Complicated?”

\tBlaise glared at Kalira, “Let’s not start with this… We need to hurry up and try to make it out of this place before nightfall.” No quicker than that, he started to walk away from them briskly.

\tMaximar blinked again, watching Blaise move ahead, then looked to Kalira, “…I don’t understand, Lieutenant Rasaris.”

\tKalira patted the Accipiterran on the shoulder, “We’ll talk later, alone… It’s a bit of a sensitive issue with Blaise.” She started to pad along after Blaise.

\tThe avian started to follow, “…Very well, Lieutenant.”

\tKalira stopped and turned around and sighed, poking him on the tip of his beak with a finger with a warm smile and look into his eyes, “And for the record, Maximar? Just call me Kalira or Kali… I’m not so haughty to demand you calling me by rank, and neither is Blaise.”

\tThe poke on the beak took Maximar off guard, “But… that would be disrespectful…?”

\tThe Felidari smirked, “Pffft… Hardly, big guy. Just take it easy, ok? Let’s go before Blaise starts to bitch and moan that we’re lagging behind.”

\tThat managed to make the Accipiterran smile a bit, “Ok, Kalira.”

\tNot long after that, Blaise could be heard calling as he started to come back, “Kali, let’s go… Quit making out with Max and move!”

\tKalira sighed, “Coming! Coming!” and giggled a bit, looking at a facepalming Maximar, “You’ll grow to love him, Maximar. He’s not so bad…”

\t“…I’ll take your word for it. He’s interesting, to say the least, if not a little ill-mannered, heh…”

\tEven with their progress through the valley, they still had a long way to go, and they weren’t going to make it to the extraction point before nightfall. Blaise tapped his communicator and sighed, “Command? Please respond…”

\t<Go ahead. What is it?>

\t“I don’t think that we’re going to make it out of the pass by nightfall. Kalira and I are going to have to set up camp and continue on at sunrise.”

\t<…Very well. We’ll let the extraction team know about that. You should be fine in the pass overnight though. Not many known predators in the area, and even then, they tend to leave humanoids alone. Let us know if you need anything. Command out.>

\tBlaise looked back to the others, “We’re going to set up camp for the night and continue on in the morning.”

\tThe other two nodded in agreement.

\tBlaise, Maximar, and Kalira were around a small campfire made in short time and strange at it seemed, the air was very quiet… similar to the moment when the complex was bombed, and it made the trio start to glance around. Kalira frowned as she sat up against a tree, “I don’t like this… Not even the crickets are chirping.”

\tMaximar peered around a bit himself, “…That is rather unusual, yes.”

\tAlmost to worsen their hunches that something was up, the sound of a bellowing howl was heard in the moonlit pass, followed by the sound of paws… many paws.

\tThe three quickly shot up, drawing their weapons, Blaise narrowing his eyes, “Leave humanoids alone, my ass… I think we’ve got trouble!”

Chapter 5: Wolfpack Attack

The sound of the falling paws was rapid and getting closer… The trio grew more on edge and readied their weapons.  Kalira raised her longrifle and looked to Blaise, “…Orders, Blaise?”

From the shadows of the trees in front of them, a pair of wolves came rushing out and straight for the party. Immediately, Blaise looked right back to Kalira, “Shoot to kill, Kalira… Semi-automatic sounds good.  I doubt this wildlife is as friendly as reported…” He then looked over to Maximar, who was already counter-charging at the wolves, “Max…? Huh, I guess he doesn’t think too much before he acts… Whatever!” Blaise started to rush at the incoming lupines as well. There was no way he was going to let their new feathered compatriot take all the glory. No way in hell…

\tOne of the wolves leapt at Maximar, but it was almost as if the Accipiterran read his foe’s movement. With a swift snap kick upward with his foot talon, the wolf was knocked out of its jump and Maximar cut his katana true into the side of the airborne beast. The slash only seemed to nick the creature though, and its agility seemed to be quite comparable to a cat, rolling through the air and landing on its paws in perfect balance!  The spectacle caused three raised eyebrows to occur from the party, the three of them very surprised.  The avian shook his head, “My blade should’ve sliced right through that wolf! How—“

\tKalira kept back while her male allies ran ahead, leveling her rifle and firing off a twin volley of short bursts from her firearm at the second incoming wolf as Blaise rushed it.  The first few shots missed and spattered dust up from the ground as the wolf skipped sideways, but the others managed to tag it in the side, leaving the Captain to leap up in a twist, “You just didn’t cut in hard enough, Max!” With a wide, downward slice, Blaise cut across the back of the wolf’s neck… a cut that should’ve been a killing blow, but like Maximar’s strike… the results were less than satisfactory!  “…Ok, Max.  Forget what I said.  I see what you mean…”  Blaise’s angered opponent snarled at the pain induced on it and snapped at him, an attack that proved ineffective as he skipped back out of the way.

\tBlaise tapped his chest-communicator as he thrust his swallowblade at his foe, “Command!!  This is Gryphon Squadron!! We are under attack by wolves at our camp!” The stab barely nicked across the nose of the wolf as it jumped back from the attack.

\t<I’m sorry…? Wolves?> The communicator on the other end sounded quite incredulous.

\t“What? Did I fucking stutter?! WOLVES!  Wolves that think they’re like damned battle tanks!!  We need support NOW!!”

\t<R… Right… Um… Your extraction team is sending a few troopers to your location as fast as possible…> voiced the communicator as Maximar cut a wide slash into not just his wolf, but Blaise’s as well with his momentum.  The first wolf seemed to be quite wounded this time with the strike, and its pain made its retaliation strike with a claw miss Maximar very easily.  While the second wolf could dodge both Maximar and Blaise’s dual onslaught, they couldn’t dodge Kalira’s as she ran to its left flank and unload six rapid blasts from her rifle through the side of its body, felling it in a pool of blood.

\tBlaise shook his head as he jumped down and thrust toward Maximar’s opponent in the flank, “They better be fast about it!”  Reaction time was critical though, and the wolf moved enough to only get grazed by the edge of his weapon. With another duck, Maximar’s swing for the wolf went well over its head.  Dodging all the attacks was wearing down on the wolf’s stamina though, as Kalira rushed towards the lupine with her longrifle blazing with rapid fire, making short work of it and making it drop with not much of a muzzle left on its face anymore, replaced with shredded, red flesh and jagged bone.

\tMaximar huffed and shook his head, “Wolves… shouldn’t be this much trouble to slay…”

\tBlaise looked to Maximar, huffing a bit himself, “Yeah… You think? I really hope those were it…”

\tMuch to the dismay of Blaise’s hopeful plea to the group, more howling could be heard in the distance… more rushing paws getting closer to them.  Kalira sighed, “You should know that there’re more than two wolves in a pack, guys… Get ready!  It sounds like they’re flanking us!”  Kalira was right, as two wolves came rushing in from the north and another two started running in from the south!

\t“Ah, fuck this shit… I really hope the animal activists don’t find out about this…” muttered Blaise.  Maximar and Kalira could only roll their eyes at the Captain’s remark as Blaise started to rush up at the northern duo, lashing out his swallowblade against one of the wolves and only managing a graze against its back due to its swift dodging.

\tMaximar was quick to run up beside Blaise to let loose a grand swing into both of the north flank wolves, missing one and grazing the other in front of Blaise, “Blaise… we’re going to have to work together if we’re going to get out of this alive.

\tBlaise growled as both he and Maximar dodged the retaliatory attacks of their opponents, “Tell me something I don’t know!!”

\tKalira sighed to herself as she spun around to face the two wolves charging in from the south, <Those two have to ease up on each other… I hate seeing Blaise on edge like this, especially with someone trying to ally with us…>  Even with her deep thoughts, Kalira raised her rifle again and fired off a rapid hailstorm of blasts into one of the wolves, quickly turning it into the proverbial swiss cheese…. Something that angered the other wolf beside it, instigating the beast to try its own rush for Kalira!

\tMaximar continued his wide swings at the wolves that he and Blaise were dealing with… his primary quarry ducking under the slash, but Blaise’s wolf getting tagged lightly again by the Accipiterran’s no-dachi.  Blaise was not having much luck either as his swallowblade’s slash completely missed his lupine opponent.  At least the pair was prepared again for the constant retaliation of the wolves they were dealing with.  Max shifted to the side to dodge a lunging swipe of a claw while Blaise pushed forward with his weapon to block a bite with his handle, shoving the predator away and off his weapon.  Kalira continued to show her expertise with her longrifle, spraying more gunfire at her approaching enemy, tagging it with about half for some moderate damage into its side, but the pain wasn’t enough to stop the wolf’s charge.  With a great leap with open jaws for the Felidari’s throat, but Kalira wasn’t letting the potentially fatal blow land.  With a swift spin and swing of her firearm, she knocked the lupine out of the air and back onto the ground.  With a tiny downward readjustment of her aim, Kalira ended the wolf’s existence with another storm of longrifle blasts to the back of its body.  

\tMaximar screeched with another big swing of his blade, “Fall before my blade, mongrel!”  Finally, Maximar slashed hard into the right side of the wolf he’s been dealing with for the last few moments, causing it to bellow out a yelp of pain.  The force of the slash even made the stricken wolf slam into its pack mate rather hard.  The impact was enough to disorient it, and the pain of the former caused quite a bit of favoring to its injuries.  Blaise tried to finish off his newly dazed target with a downward thrust, but somehow the wolf slipped away from the attack.  Kalira turned around and started to run in to help out Blaise and Maximar’s plight, only to see Maximar take another hard swing with his blade and cut the horribly pained wolf in half.  Kalira, in turn, tried to finish off Blaise’s wolf with some gunfire from her longrifle, but only managed to wound it.  Surprisingly, seeing the loss of its pack mates, it turned tail and started to limp away with sharp whimpering.  Blaise muttered, “Leave it… that furball won’t bother us any time soon…”  He looked around to Max and Kalira with a tired smirk, “So, how about that rest n—?”

\tBlaise’s question was short-lived as some more howls thundered in the distance.  The Captain stomped the ground with a scream, “Son of a bitch!!  I’m getting sick of dealing with these flea bags!”  It sounded as if the howling was coming from all directions, rushing wolves coming from all around.  Quickly, Blaise got into position again and tapped his chest-comm again… the others doing likewise and looking around, waiting for the next attack, “Command?  I really would like to know where that damn support is!!”

\tThis time, it wasn’t Command. A male voice cut in with a slight growl to the accent, <Captain O’Driscoll, this is Sergeant Tyran Sartharan of the 424th Rapid Response Team. We have a five man squad en route to your location.  How are you holdi—>

\tBlaise’s eyes widened and made a bit of a growl himself, his own a rather angry one, “H… How are we holding up? Oh, just dandy, Sarge, considering we’ve been dealing with unquestionably pissed off wolves for the last half hour or so!! Really, I have to commend you for your prompt ‘rapid response’!”

\t<…Sorry, Captain. With the darkness, it’s not easy to traverse through these woods.  We should be coming onto your location in about… five… ten minutes.>

\t“Great to hear, Sarge… Try to cut that time in half!  We’re going into round three now!”  No sooner than Blaise finished, a wolf each started to come in from the north, west, and south clearings.  “Ok, everyone… How does one-for-one sound?”

\tMaximar nodded, locking his blade in a ready, offensive stance, “I’ll take the wolf coming from the west.”

\tKalira raised her rifle again from her brief rest to the incoming wolf from the south, “I’ll deal with this one.”

\tBlaise turned to face the north wolf and chuckled under his breath, shaking his head, “Nice of you two to leave me the leftovers… Ok, then… LET’S ROCK!!”

\tThe wolf from the south was running up rapidly at Kalira, the Felidari ranger rapidly firing a few bursts at it.  The lupine seemed to be a smart one, learning from the mistakes of Kalira’s last foe, running in a zigzag rush and dodging all the incoming fire… a disheartening occurrence for Kalira to say the least.  The wolf then leapt at Kalira, but so did she… right for the wolf’s face with a hard kick, spinning around with another heel kick with the other foot.  As gravity started to bring the aerial combatants down, Kalira took aim for the spiraling creature’s body and let loose with a violent spray of longrifle fire, putting an end to its life.  Quickly, she turned to see how the others were fairing, starting to run for Maximar, rifle aiming at his current opponent.

Maximar rushed forward and hammered down the west wolf from a leaping bite with a hard, overhead slash, running in to close in on the fallen beast.  The wolf quickly got up and snapped at the aquiline warrior, which he quickly stepped to the side to dodge.  He took another swing, this time horizontally, only to miss and leave himself wide open.  Taking advantage, the wolf slashed its claw across the scales of his left shin, leaving a pretty good twin gash along it.  Hissing out in pain, Maximar used his blood-fueled anger to spin around and cut the wolf hard in the back.  Before the wolf could make any more retaliation, multiple bursts of blood sprayed out of its side, as Kalira peppered it in the side with gunfire.  Max looked up to Kalira and smiled a bit, “…Thanks.”

Kalira smiled right back to him, “Any time…”  Her smile was ended quickly though, as a bellowing howl was heard from on top of the cliff on which the rebel complex was situated.  She looked up, unable to see what it came from, pointing to the north, “Maximar, think you can go help support Blaise? I should be able to handle this next one.”

“Of course, Kali… I won’t let a little scrap do me in…” With that, he was off.

As for Blaise, the north wolf managed to get the first attack in with a high jump, which was only interrupted by an upward slash from his swallowblade and cut across the stomach with a wide spinning swing as it was falling down onto the ground.  The wolf growled and staggered back up to its feet, only to see Maximar coming in to help.  Blaise glanced over his shoulder at the incoming avian, smirking a bit, “Coming to take away some of my fun?”

Maximar swung down at the wounded wolf, missing as it jumped back, “Just making good on my promise of working together to get out of this alive, Blaise…”

Blaise hopped to the side as the wolf bit at him, “You know, Max… I think I’ve been wrong about you…”

\tMaximar stepped forward as the wolf’s attack left it wide open for a swift decapitation from his sword, “I must say the same of you, Blaise…”

\tBefore Blaise could continue their sudden bonding conversation, the sound of a loud landing thundered behind him and Maximar, a scream from Kalira heard not too long after, “BLAISE! MAXIMAR! WE’VE GOT TROUBLE!! THE ALPHA’S HERE!!”

\tThe pair turned to look to see what could’ve made such a sound.  Maximar’s beak dropped open in a silent gasp, “…What in Solravis’s name?”  Likewise, Blaise stared in shock, murmuring, “…What the fuck is THAT? That looks like more than some alpha wolf…”  Standing at the foot of the cliff in a landing-induced depression in the ground was another wolf, but this one stood out a whole lot more than the last nine that the three of them dealt with.  This one wolf in particular was about two… almost three times the size of the others.  Twelve feet long and about 6 feet at the shoulder, with long spines sprouting from its back intermittently, eyes glowing a vivid green, and it was glaring right at Kalira.  Blaise screamed at the top of his lungs, “Kalira! RUN!!!”

\tKalira didn’t do as ordered though, already having her rifle raised and unloading rapid fire into the mammoth wolf, every hit landing into its body and spraying blood… blue-green blood instead of the usual crimson variety.  Furious, the wolf started to make its charge at the Felidari.  Quickly, Blaise and Maximar started to make chase after it, the former just barely able to get a scrape on the wolf’s side with his swallowblade as it thundered by with alarming speed for Kalira.  Unfortunately for Kalira, her longrifle’s plasma pack finally burn out, causing her to hiss in both anger… and fright, “Shit!!”  Before she could reach into her trenchcoat for a recharge, the huge beast lowered its head and smashed into her abdomen hard, causing her to lose her breath in a hoarse yowl, and fly backwards through the air a good ten feet and sliding across her rump on the ground another five.  Coughing up a bit of blood, Kalira favored her belly a bit with a handpaw, muttering, “…Damn it. Don’t think you got me down… that easily…”

\tSeeing the huge, violent hit on Kalira, something snapped in Blaise, his eyes going wide as he and Maximar ran ahead, the Accipiterran reaching the large alpha wolf and swinging his no-dachi at it… an attack that the beast leapt away from with a side jump.  The dodge happened to let the furious Blaise get a good hack of his weapon into the alpha’s rump, causing more blue-tinted blood to spray out.  Before Blaise could react though, the wolf spun around with a big swipe of its paw into his stomach, causing him to stagger back a bit and get a trio of claw slashes across his undershirt, “UGH!”  Thankfully, this dual distraction from Blaise and Maximar allowed Kalira to get a breather for a few seconds… and a full recharge on her rifle’s plasma pack.  Immediately, from her seated spot on the dirt, Kalira started to unload a few more rapid bursts into the back of the wolf.  The hits didn’t grab its attention though, as the wolf continued to focus on a Blaise that was swollen with determination to protect Kalira.  Another large claw slashed at Blaise, who tried to spin away, but instead for raked hard against the back, “AAAAGH!  Ok, I’ve had enough of this!!”  With a sudden, reckless leap, Blaise hurtled into the air and thrust down through the back of the mutant alpha, actually managing to impale it down to the ground with his swallowblade… yet it looked like it wouldn’t hold for long! He looked over his shoulder, “MAX!!! DO SOMETHING!”

\tQuickly, Maximar sprung into action at the order from Blaise, twisting around in his step and cleaving his katana through the alpha’s entire body in one single swipe as if it was a huge stick of butter.  The wolf fell into two halves in a pool of its innards and blue blood, “…Is that decisive enough?”

\tBlaise blinked, then nodded at Maximar with a grin, “Very much so.”  He moved over to Kalira, helping pull her back up to her feet, “You ok there, Kali?”

\tKalira nodded, wiping at her lip with the back of her handpaw, “Yeah, Blaise.  A hit like that won’t take me out.  Don’t worry so much.”  She was sore, but she did her best to offer an affirmative smile.

\tNot too much long after, the 424th Rapid Response Team came out of the northern clearing, armed with longrifles and dressed in heavy field armor, each tailored for whichever race the member was.  The leader flipped open his visor, showing a white Felidarian with blue eyes, obviously Sergeant Sartharan from before, “Captain… Are you all ok?”

\tBlaise turned, nodding at the Sergeant, “…Yeah. We’ll just need some minor healing on the way back, especially the Lieutenant.  Also… I think one of your guys should pick up one of the wolves up for the labs back at base.  Something was definitely off with them…”

\t“Oh… O… Of course, Captain O’Driscoll. Right away…” With a quick salute, the sergeant turned to the other four rapid response team members, “Let’s get moving, men!”  Immediately, two of the troopers went to pick up one of the fallen, mostly intact wolves, while the others started to escort Blaise, Kalira, and Maximar back towards the extraction point.  First, an airstrike, and now… wolves? Blaise had much on his mind…

Chapter 6: Doubt and Painful Memories

\tAfter arriving back at Firebase Ragnarok in the Accipiterran capital of Hau’khaven, Blaise, Kalira and Maximar were treated by the Aetherealist Medics for their wounds.  A half day’s rest later, the three of them were ushered into the office of the current Commanding Officer of the base, none other than Colonel Leonis Rasaris, Blaise’s “uncle” and Kalira’s father.  He was a tall and very powerful looking Felidari of the Tigrana subspecies, looking much like his own daughter, resembling a white tiger with a spiky mane of brunette hair on the top of his head, yet he was lacking a few certain… bountiful assets of her.  He steepled his handpaws together, resting his chin on them, eyeing Blaise and Kalira with a scrutinizing eye, “So… you mean to tell me that one of our own Lynx bombers tried to include you as collateral damage?”

\tBlaise nodded, “That’s right, sir… and it caused us to take a detour into Taelyn Pass, where we were attacked by a large pack of wolves.”

\tLeonis leaned back into his chair, looking right at Blaise with a raised eyebrow, “…I heard about that, though listening to your communicator logs, you were having quite a bit of trouble with them and even went so far as to say they were… ‘like battletanks.’  That’s not like operatives of Gryphon Squadron, Captain. Did you really have that much trouble with –wolves—?”

\tBlaise shook his head, “You don’t understand.  I meant exactly what I said!”

\tLeonis leaned forward, “I’d lower my tone if I were you, Captain…”

\tKalira stepped forward, “Fathe—S… sir, Blaise is right.  The three of us put many direct hits on some of these wolves and they were only lightly wounded.  We had the rapid response unit retrieve one of the wolves’ corpses so the labs here could investigate any abnormalities on it, on Blaise’s request.”

\tLeonis blinked at that, looking at Kalira, then Blaise, chuckling faintly, “Trying to cover up for some ineptness, Captain?”

\tBlaise’s eyes widened in anger, staring to open his lips to snap back, but then Maximar stepped in to cut him off.  The Accipiterran gestured, “Colonel Rasaris, what Blaise and Kalira are saying are true.  I’ve fought the wildlife now and then, but these wolves were the most vicious and durable I’ve fought.  What’s more, the alpha of the pack was extremely… unusual.”

\tThe Colonel’s eyes looked at Maximar now, tilting his head as he inspected the young Accipiterran knight, “…And you are?”

\tMaximar bowed his head respectfully, “Maximar Ki’lores, initiate of the Order of Serathia.”

\tLeonis blinked, “Oho… A trainee of the Solra’vir?  Reminds me a bit when Blaise’s father and I ran into one ourselves years ago… Must be history repeating itself a bit.”  

That comment had Blaise look down a bit, and suddenly turn around to start walking out, “I’m going to check and see if the labs found out anything about that fleabag we brought home…”  With that said, he was gone before Leonis, or any of the others, could stop him.

Leonis looked down with a deep sigh, murmuring, “…I shouldn’t have brought that up.”  He gripped the arms of his chair, looking back up to Kalira and Maximar, “Forgive me…  You are both dismissed as well.  Mr. Ki’lores, feel free to use our base’s facilities.”

Maximar bowed his head again, “Thank you, sir…”

Kalira patted the avian’s shoulder and started to lead him out, “Let’s go, Max, I’ll show you around a bit.”

Once they left, Leonis leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes with a deep sigh, “Blaise… I’m so sorry…”

Chapter 7: Shower and A Conversation

After Kalira’s little tour, Maximar decided to hit the showers, stripped down to nothing but his feathers and stepping into the hot water.  The avian closed his eyes with a sigh, “What a day… I wonder how Lady Sol’ryas will take the news of my mission.  Oh well… nothing to do now but relax.”  Maximar’s peace and privacy suddenly was invaded when he opened his eyes and saw a very nude Kalira standing under the shower across from him, facing him with her body.  The discovery was enough to get a squawk of surprise out of the naked aquiline and make him jump with wide eyes, his nares going as red as possible, “K… Kalira?! Wh… What are you d—“

Kalira giggled and purred, crossing her arms under her chest, causing her breasts to lift up quite a bit… something that caught Maximar’s attention, in some ways more than others.  It was hard to tell if it was meant to be soothing, teasing, or a mixture of the two… well… at least in Maximar’s mind.  The Felidari spoke up finally, “What’s wrong, Maximar?  You look like you’ve never seen a pair of naked breasts before…”

Maximar’s beak clacked a few times as he tried to muster the right words to reply with, shifting in place, trying to keep his eyes from staring too much. His thoughts? <…By Solravis, they’re even bigger out in the open!  I’m surprised she doesn’t fall over…>  Thankfully, his words didn’t match his lewd mind. “Wh… wha…? N… no, I’ve seen breasts before!”  Lie number one… “Wh… what do you think I am?”

Kalira smirked, continuing to purr, uncrossing her arms to grab her shampoo… which led her flaunted assets to bounce from the full effects of gravity, “To be honest? Easily embarrassed and shy, from what I can tell… not to mention easy to excite.” She couldn’t help a giggle again, glancing down at some growing embarrassment on Maximar… something that he was doing everything in his power to cover it up.

Maximar couldn’t stop his blushing, mind wandering again, <Oh man, she’s on to me so much…  Pharstis would kill me if she found out about this.>  He took a deep breath, “I… I am not...” Lie number two! He finally grabbed his own soap to start his own lather, though his talons were a bit jittery.  He finally asked the one question that was stabbing him in the head, “Um, Kalira…? What’re you doing here?”

“Taking a shower, Maximar. Why do you ask?”

“That’s… not what I meant.  This is the mens’ locker room, right?”

Kalira’s smirk turned into a big grin as she started to rinse off, “Oh! I think I see your problem now.  No, Maximar… There’re no separate lockers for men and women here in Union Military facilities.  Everything’s unisex here at Firebase Ragnarok.”

Well, that answered that burning question…  Maximar started to rinse off himself, “Oh… I… I knew that...” Lie number 3!  Thankfully for him, he was starting to calm down a bit from the awkwardness as well as his other… ‘big’ issue.  He was even more thankful that nothing more came of the latter situation.

Kalira shut off her shower and padded her way over to Maximar with a smile, “Feeling a bit better there, Maximar?”

He shut off his shower, nodding, “Um… yes, Kalira. Th… Thanks.”

The Felidari giggled gently, “Sure.  Well I’m going to get going… and Max?  You’re such a horrible liar.”  She started to leave when she grabbed a towel and tossing it over to Max as she grabbed her own.

The Accipiterran caught the towel, then blinked, starting to follow her, “Kalira… wait up.”

She blinked, wrapping her towel around her chest and looking to him, the fabric barely able to fully wrap around her, “Huh? What’s up, Maximar?”

“I… kinda wanted to talk about something… about Blaise,” replied Maximar as he wrapped his own towel around his waist.

Kalira tilted her head, then nodded, thumbing behind her shoulder, “Oh, sure.  I think my locker is right next to where you put your stuff.  How about we talk there?”

Maximar nodded, “That’d be fine, Kalira.”

The pair wandered over to their spaces, where Kalira sat down on a bench and Maximar crossed his arms, leaning up against the lockers.  The ranger looked up to the avian, “So… what’s on your mind about Blaise?”

“Well… he seemed awfully defensive when your father, the Colonel, brought up something about a past mission with a Solra’vir.  Do you know anything about it?”

Kalira’s lips formed into a slight frown, “Well… I don’t know all the details, but… I’ll share what I know.”

Maximar tilted his head, seeing her expression, “Forgive me… I must have brought up a very touchy subject.  You don’t have t—“

“No, Maximar… It’s only fair that you learn a bit.  Before Blaise and I were the active members of Gryphon Squadron, our fathers were in the unit as its operatives.  One mission, they were teamed up with a young initiate of the Order of Serathia.  The assignment eventually became permanent, and… well, Blaise’s father apparently grew a lot of feelings for her.”

The Accipiterran listened to this with great interest, nodding, “Please continue…”

“Well, they eventually had a son, who was Blaise… but from what I heard, the Solra’vir who gave birth to him passed away very shortly afterwards.  So he grew up without his mother.  What’s worse, he was exiled from his birthplace, Sol’phedar Isle, in some place called Sancta Sola’ryon, and his father has been so busy with work as a General in the Union military that… well… Blaise’s father entrusted him to my own father, since he was some what of an uncle to him.”

Maximar looked down and frowned at that, “…So he essentially never knew his parents well.  I can really relate to Blaise then…” He then looked back to Kalira, “Did you happen to know the name of the Solra’vir who courted with Blaise’s father?”

She shook her head, “No, Maximar. I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I never heard the name from whatever I was told about it.”

Maximar nodded, “…Ok, well… Thank you for telling me, Kalira.”

“Sure, Max—“ Kalira was suddenly cut off by her communicator resting in her locker with her clothes, as it started to chirp with a message. She reached out and tapped it, “Kalira here…”

<Kali, it’s Blaise.  Your dad wants us, including Max, to come meet him again in no later than a half hour.  Have you seen the featherduster?>

Kalira looked to him and smiled, “Yeah, I’ll let him know. We’ll meet up at the office. Kalira out.”  She shut off her comm. With a tap, she swished her tail a bit, “Maximar, we need to get dressed.  My father needs to speak to us as soon as possible.  It’s probably something about the lab results on that wolf, I’m guessing.”  She tossed her towel off and started to get her clothing back on, “By the way, Maximar… Thanks for the company just now. I hope you didn’t mind?”

He shook his head, letting his towel drop, starting to get dressed himself, “Not at all, Kalira… I was able to grow out of that awkward moment well enough, heh… Oh, and Kalira?”

“Yeah?”

“The more I think about it… the more I think I’m comfortable with you… and Blaise… calling me Max.  When Blaise called me that first, it really caught me off guard, since only my closest friends and my commander call me that. It felt… odd with a stranger calling me that.”

“I’ll only call you that on one condition, Max…”

“And that is?”

“Call me Kali, and just loosen up a bit around us, ok? You’ll be fine.”

“Heh… ok, Kali.”

Chapter 8: On To Butea Piedmont

\tBlaise was leaning up against the wall of the Colonel’s office, arms crossed over his chest, looking to Leonis, “Boss… I’m sorry about my outburst earlier.  I shouldn’t have—“

\tLeonis shook his head, “No, Blaise.  I was the one out of line, bringing up something that brought up a memory of your mother.”

\tBlaise was about to speak up when the door hissed open, and Kalira and Maximar stepped in together.  The ranger smiled and waved, “Sorry if we’re late… What’s going on?”  Maximar seemed to be in slightly higher spirits as well too… something that made Blaise raise a bit of an eyebrow.

\tLeonis watched his daughter and the aquiline with her for a few moments, before leaning back in his chair, “We had a message come in a few days ago that said that some of the wildlife in the woods near Qes’trahl Bay seemed a bit more aggressive than usual.  A member of the Ver’dahnti, by the name of Shadorn Sha’dravyn.”

\tMaximar blinked, stepping forward, “Did you say Shadorn Sha’dravyn?”

\tThe Colonel nodded, “That’s right, Mr. Ki’lores.  You are familiar with him?

\t“Yes, sir.  He’s the older brother of a childhood friend.”

\tBlaise huffed, “That’s nice and all, Max… but Colonel, sir… I’ve found that the labs have learned something about the dead wolf we brought back for them to study.”

\tLeonis turned his attention to Blaise, “And? What was found?”

\t“Nanotech droids in the brain and the muscle fibers… As well as something the lab techs said that they seemed to inject the wolf with.  Some sort of mutagen.  The mutagen is unknown, but it seemed in concert with the nanotech, strengthening the wolf’s flesh to be much more durable and undertake a much more violent disposition than usual… At least that’s what the initial reports were.”

\tThat definitely got a big raise of Leonis’s eyebrow, the Colonel speaking up, “…Did you say nanotech in conjunction with a mutagen?”  He closed his eyes and shuddered, murmuring in a tone that he thought was for only himself, “…Could it be? No… no… There’s no way.  We shut down that thing more than twenty years ago.”

\tKalira tilted her head, “What’s that?  What’s wrong, Father?”

\tHe quickly dismissed it, “No, my daughter… It’s nothing… Just an idle random thought.”  He looked between the three, “Since you have experience with what might be another occurrence with wildlife going mad, do you want to go and accept Mr. Sha’dravyn’s request for help?”

\tBlaise and Kalira both nodded, the former speaking up, “Consider us signed up… We’ll check out what’s going on.”

\tMaximar stepped forward again, “I would like to accompany them as well, even if I’m not part of Union military business.”

\tLeonis looked to Maximar, “It’s no trouble, Mr. Ki’lores. You’re more than welcome to assist Blaise and Kalira.” He leaned forward, steepling his fingers on the desk, “There’s a transport vehicle departing for the village of Butea Piedmont.  You can make your way to Qes’trahl Bay through the Strigidian Mountain Pass, which you enter from the village.  Good luck to you all, and stay safe.”

\tThe three started to head out when Leonis looked to Blaise, “Blaise?  You, especially… The last thing I want is your old man hearing about you dying a grisly death.”

\tBlaise chuckled a bit, “Don’t worry… I’ll make sure nothing happens.” With that, he was out.

\tLeonis leaned back with a sigh, “…I also don’t want your mother finding out about you getting killed either.  Damnit… Blaise… When will you learn the truth?”

\tThe transport vehicle that Blaise, Kalira and Maximar hopped on was already well underway on its trip to Butea Piedmont, making its pass through Taelyn Pass.   Blaise and Kalira were sitting side by side on one side of the passenger section, with Maximar facing them from his seat on the other side.  There was a long, awkward silence… until Blaise leaned forward a bit, hands on his knees, “So, Max…  You seemed to be rather buddy-buddy with Kali as you walked into the Colonel’s office.”  A grin swelled on the Captain’s face, fixing his sunglasses with a finger, “I’m curious to just what kind of tour she gave you…  Must’ve been quite special.”

\tMaximar blinked, “What… kind…?  She only just showed me around the base, well… aside from the classified sectors.”

\t“Oh, surrrrrrrrrrre…  You two might as well have been just holding talon and paw together…  You probably have the hots for—“  Blaise jumped with a sound of shock and discomfort when Kalira suddenly lashed out without looking at him, with a hard backhand to his stomach, knocking the wind out of him and making him double over, “HURK!!! Th… the hell, Kali…  What was THAT for?  I’m only kidding around… Fuck…”  Blaise started to rub the sore spot at which the thundering paw strike of Kalira made.

\tKalira still didn’t even look to Blaise, an uncommonly stern look on her face, “Keeping you in line like always, you asshat.  I don’t know what it’s going to take for you to learn good manners…”

\tMaximar cleared his throat, “Well… to be honest, Blaise…  Her tour was just as I said.  As for Kalira…” He looked to the feline, then back to Blaise, “I must admit she’s one of the most attractive women I’ve met, but I’m not… um…”  The avian started to blush, but before he could continue…

\tBlaise started to recover enough to cut off Max, “What?  Not into the girls so m—Uuuuuh!!!” His eyes widened as he slid down to the next chair as Kalira brandished one of her claws at him.  “Kidding!  Kidding!!”

\tMaximar could do nothing but stare dumbfounded at the pair, <Wow… I think if those two are a couple, it’s easy to tell who’s on top.>  The Accipiterran took a deep breath, “No, Blaise.  I’m as straight as an arrow.  It’s just that I’ve had trouble expressing myself to someone I’ve had interest with for a while.”

\tKalira lowered her claw and looked over to Maximar, suddenly perking up, “Oh?  You didn’t say anything about that.  Who’s the lucky girl?  I think it’s safe to say that I’m not it, with what you said about a minute ago…”

\tBlaise looked like he was going to say something, but he just kept his lips shut.  He was sure that a third instigation would truly bring down Kalira’s wrath on his head.

\tMaximar thought for a moment, but he felt he trusted these two, saying, “Pharstis… that friend I mentioned earlier whose older brother is the one who put out the request that we’re fulfilling.”

\tKalira tilted her head, “Pharstis, huh?  That’s an interesting name.  What’s she like?  Um… I mean, you don’t have to share if you don’t want to though…”

\tBlaise continued remain quiet as Maximar shook his head, “It’s ok.  I suppose it’ll help pass the time talking about her.  To start, she works as a school teacher at Qes’trahl Bay for younger children.  She’s an extremely bright woman and knows many things… and if she doesn’t know about it? She’ll study what she can so she can know about it.”

\tKalira smiled, “Works with children, huh?  Definitely a noble profession.”

\tBlaise couldn’t help it anymore, finally commenting, “That’s surprising, Max.  I never took you as the type who was into the brainy bookworm girls.  You still haven’t gotten into the other important aspect of her though… How about some details on how she looks?”

\tKalira rolled her eyes, then looked to Max, who seemed to be sweating bullets a bit.  The avian took a deep breath, “Well… She’s about the same height as Kalira, for starters, wears glasses…  Black feathers covering the body with a gold beak, with crystal blue eyes.  She’s not exactly the most… um…” Too shy to verbalize it, Maximar made large, round curving motions in front of his chest.

\tBlaise ahs, nodding sagely, “Oh!  No big thing. So what if Pharstis’s chest doesn’t have anything near Kalira’s m—“

\tWith a quick swivel of her head to Blaise and eyes going wide, Kalira roared, “You better not DARE say THAT…”

\tBlaise put his hands up in defense, “Whoa whoa whoa, Kali… You’re jumping the gun! I know not to say THAT…”

\tMaximar was beet red in the nares, “…That…?”

\tBlaise and Kalira both turned to glare at Maximar, speaking in unison, “Yes, THAT!  Just don’t worry about it!”  They then both turned at each other, spitting off at each other in a heated argument.  

\tMaximar sighed and sank into his seat, closing his eyes, “…Nevermind. Let’s just forget this conversation ever got this far…”

\tThe rest of the trip was rather uneventful compared to the little verbal scuffle that blew up between Blaise and Kalira…  Thankfully for Maximar, not to mention Blaise’s physical well-being, the heat between the two Gryphon Squadron operatives simmered away over the next, rather silent, half hour.  Blaise crossed his arms over his chest, looking up towards the front and calling out, “Hey!  How much longer until we get to this little mountain hick town?!”

\tThe driver’s co-pilot, a blonde-haired human female, looked over her shoulder with a stern expression, “Oh, keep your pants on, Captain… We still have about another hour until we hit Butea Piedmont.  Anything else you want to whine about?”

\tBlaise just had a big, blank look on his face once the co-pilot made the whining comment, finally saying, “…No.”

\tThe driver, a russet-furred Lupani male, looked back for a moment, “If any of you want a good view of the Strigidian Range on the horizon, feel free to climb up into the gunner’s nest.”

\tKalira perked at the offer, “I think I’ll just take him up on that…” She purred and grinned at Blaise and Maximar, “Besides, I think you two could use a little male bonding time.”  Before any protest from Blaise could be mustered, the Felidari was gone, swiftly climbing up into the nest.

\tFor about a minute, there was a bit of an awkward silence between the Captain and the Solra’vir initiate.  The minute seemed to feel like an eternity, but finally, both of them simultaneously broke the silence with, “So…”

\tMaximar shook his head and gestured, “Please… you first.”

\tBlaise chuckled, “Max, I don’t even know what to start with… You start.”

\t“Oh, ok… For starters, I’m wondering… Just what did you mean by… ‘THAT’?”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, then cautiously eyed the ladder leading up into the gunner’s nest that Kalira disappeared up into.  Taking a deep breath as he saw that the coast seemed clear, he looked to Maximar, “What I tell you NEVER… EVER leaves your beak, Max… You got me?  You say this with her around, and you’ll find that nice, sweet, little Kali becomes an engine of destruction that doesn’t need her longrifle to ruin your day… or five.”

\tMaximar tried to mentally sketch out something that’d vividly portray something along the words of Blaise.  The only image that came up was him running for his life from a 50 foot tall, naked Kalira demolishing an entire city in a furious rush after him.  The imaginative mind of the Accipiterran gave him quite the absent-minded, horrified look on his face.

\tBlaise blinked, then leaned forward, snapping his fingers in front of Max’s beak, “Hey… are you still with me?”  <Man… what’s going on in his mind?> he thought.

\tMax snapped out of the rather creative horror film scene that was playing in his brain, “H… huh?  Oh, yeah. So, what is this ‘THAT’?”

\tBlaise glanced to the ladder going into the nest again, then back to Maximar, “Back when we were in the military academy a few years ago, she kinda grew a big reputation for herself.”

\t“…She doesn’t come off like a slut.”

\tBlaise started to laugh at that, “Oh, God…  Don’t let her hear you say that.  But, no… you’re right.”  He made a joking hefting motion with his hands in front of his chest, as if he was bouncing his set of massive assets. The reputation didn’t bloom from the way she acted, but more because of her breast size.”

\tMaximar’s nares flushed a great deal, “…I guess that makes a good bit of sense.”

\t“As a result, she earned quite the pet name by some of the other cadets…”

\t“And… that was…?”

\tAgain, Blaise made a cautious glance to the gunner’s nest again.  The coast was still clear.  He moved over next to Maximar, cupping a hand to his eartuft and whispering, “…Milkjugs.”

\tMaximar was quick to cover his beak with his hand talons to stifle a geyser of laughter, stammering, “M… Milkjugs?  I’m sorry, but that’s pretty hilarious.  I’m normally not like this, but I have to ask… Did the other cadets ask her for coffee creamer or something?”

\tNow it was Blaise’s turn to start a giggle fit, “Now that, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised.  Though… There was the one time when a fellow cadet of hers asked her if she had any extra milk for his cereal, as the cafeteria ran out one morning.”

\t“…Oh no. That probably was taken the wrong way.”

\tBlaise snickered, “You don’t know the half of it.  Poor guy was in the infirmary for about two days, all because the cafeteria was out of milk and he asked the wrong person if they had any to spare.  He wasn’t even trying to poke fun at her.  She just took the question wrong and flipped out.”

\tThe pair was in good spirits, laughing together about the conversation topic for a while before they calmed down with a duet of them letting out deep breaths.  Maximar was the first to calm himself, smiling to Blaise, “That was a good laugh, Blaise.  Thanks…”

\t“Yeah, Max… It was, wasn’t it?  It felt good.”  Just then, Blaise’s communicator chirped, which he quickly tapped on his chest, “O’Driscoll here…”

\t<Blaise, it’s Uncle Leonis.  What’s your location?>

\t“Last I heard about 15 minutes ago, we were about an hour away from Butea Piedmont.  Is something wrong?”

\t<Well, I did a little bit of research for you on that Lynx bomber that you said tried to take you out shortly after Major Grathtan was killed in your raid.  Its designation number traces back to one of our bases in Jaminecia.>

\tBlaise’s eyes narrowed, “…That’s Fenrir Squadron jurisdiction, isn’t it?”

\t<It is their main sector of operations, yes.  I’ll try to look more into it.  Stay safe out there.>

\t“Right, will do… O’Driscoll out.”  Blaise tapped his communicator off, looking to Maximar.

\tThe aquiline tilted his head, “Everything ok?”

\t“Not sure… I’m just getting a bit of a chilly feeling for some reason, though I really can’t say what.”

\tA call from the co-pilot came from the front, “Hey, you three. We’re almost at Butea Piedmont.  Better prepare for drop-off.”

\tKalira started to finally come down from the gunner’s nest, taking her seat beside Blaise again, “Really nice view up there.”

\tBlaise chuckled lightly, “Glad you liked it… Too bad this isn’t a pleasure trip though, Kali…”

\tFinally, the vehicle stopped.  The Lupani pilot looked back, “Well, you three.  Trip’s over, so it’s time to get your tails up and out of my ride.”

\tBlaise rolled his eyes and laughed, “Yeah, yeah… We’re moving, we’re moving…” The hatch leading out of the transport vehicle opened up, allowing the three to depart and start on their mission.

Chapter 9: An Unexpected Revelation

The town of Butea Piedmont was an interesting one, the housing constructed into two faces of the Strigidian Valley looking out at each other, built on four tiers each.  Kalira stared up to the architecture and purred, “That’s really cool.  I’ve never seen people build their homes and the like in such a way.”

\tBlaise looked around a bit as well, “Even I have to say that I’m pretty impressed.”

\tMaximar looked to the pair with a smile, “Many people on this world consider Butea Piedmont to be one of the finest manmade wonders on this world, but I don’t know how long it could have taken them to build such a marvel.”

\tSuddenly, there was a call in the distance, “Maximar Ki’lores, is that you?”

\tThe three looked over towards the source of the voice, only to see a female avian with black feathers and glasses resting over her crystal blue eyes, dressed in a royal blue unitard with a diamond cut in the chest to show off a bit of cleavage on her very modest chest.  The unitard also had a long flap running down between her legs, and another wider one running down behind her over her rump.  Around her waist was a red sash, with what seemed to be a short sword sheathed in a scabbard on it.  Maximar blushed quite a bit, offering a shy wave, “M… Miss Pharstis, I’m surprised to see you here at Butea Piedmont… What’re you doing here?”

\tPharstis wandered over, pushing up her glasses onto the bridge of her beak with a smile, “I’d like to ask the same thing.  I thought you were sent off on a mission by Aunt Destany.”

\t“Oh, no… That mission’s been over since two days ago.  As for why we’re here, I think it’s better you ask my friends here.”

\tThe ebon avian hen turned to regard the pair, nodding her head with a warm smile, “Pharstis Sha’dravyn… and you are?”

\tKalira stepped forward first with her best purring smile, “Lieutenant Kalira Rasaris, nice to meet you.”

\tBlaise followed, nodding, “Captain Blaise O’Driscoll… Likewise.”

\tPharstis curiously eyed Blaise for a moment, “…Blaise O’Driscoll, you say?”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, “Gee, my reputation continues to precede me… What’d I do now?  I’m just here on orders to meet up with your older brother to see what his little wildlife problem is.”

\tPharstis rested her arms crossed behind her back, looking up to Blaise as she came closer to him, “Ah, Shadorn.  Yes, he’s told me that some of the indigenous creatures in Syl’phedar Forest have been getting rather unruly in the past few days, and it has led to a few other Ver’dahnti under his command getting injured.”  She looked him up and down for a few moments, fixing her glasses again.

\tBlaise blinked, “…Yes?”

\t“I’m curious, Blaise…  Your aetherea has a very familiar feel to my own, one of Phedarian heritage.  Can you show it to me?”

\tHe sank back a bit, “That magic soul stuff?  I can’t control it at all…”

\tKalira and Maximar watched curiously, the former speaking up, “I’m sorry, Pharstis, but did you say Phedarian heritage?”

\tPharstis looked to Kalira and nodded, “That’s right, Kalira.  I may not look it, but I’m what you call a Phecipiterran, a crossbred child between a Phedarian and an Accipiterran.  I’ve met a few humans before back home in Qes’trahl Bay, I need to say that none of them stood out as much as you right now.”

\tBlaise crossed his arms over his chest, “In what way?”  He was feeling a little uneasy with this woman, but at the same time, there was something… familial about her.  Something that made him feel comfortable around her.

\tPharstis looked back over to Blaise, “Well, for starters, Blaise, I’ve never felt such a blatant Phedarian aura within a human like yours.  Then, there’s your physical features… Hair as vibrant as the flames of a phoenix, shining gold eyes, and an air of warmth flowing around your being.  I’m sure others have noticed this as well.”

\t“Well… yeah.  I will say that whenever I get a physical, I blow the doctors’ minds with my regular body heat temperature, which they always say is around 104.”

\tThat revelation got a raised eyebrow and wide eyes from Maximar and Kalira respectively.  Pharstis ahh’d, nodding with a chuckle, “Very close to the normal body temperature of a Phedarian.  Tell me, Blaise… Who are your parents?”

\tOh no… that question again, but that comforting feeling around Pharstis persisted within him.  Blaise took a deep breath, “My father is Drake O’Driscoll, General of the Union Military and deadbeat old man who rarely ever comes to see me.  My mother’s been dead ever since an hour or so after I was born, or so I’ve always been told.  Something that I feel I’m wholly at fault for.”

\tPharstis recoiled at that, her neck feathers bristling and face aghast in terror, <His mother… Dead…?! No… What kind of lies has he drowned under all his life?>  She shook her head, “Blaise… There’s something I need to tell you.”

\tBlaise stared at her, “Oh? And just what is that?”

\tPharstis put her hand talon out to take, “Take my hand, Blaise… Please…”

\t“What…?”

\t“Please… just do it.”

\tShrugging, Blaise reached out, taking Pharstis’s hand in his.  Seconds later, he felt that feeling he sensed around her blossom into something more.  He shuddered, staring at her, “Wh… what…?”

\tPharstis let go, crossing her arms behind her back again, taking a deep breath and smiling a bit again, “You felt that aura between us, yes?  There’s only one explanation for that, Blaise… Only Phedarians and Phecipiterrans who are related by blood have that ability.  It is through that in which they can instantly tell who is of family relations with them.  My only suggestion is that if you can feel such an aethereal link with me, then that would mean that your unknown mother was… or for this matter… IS a Phedarian.”

\tBlaise, not to mention Kalira and Maximar, looked at Pharstis in great disbelief.  The Captain shifted in his spot, “Wh… what are you saying?”

\t“What I’m saying is, Blaise, is that we’re related.  I am your blood cousin.”

Blaise put his hands up, shaking his head, “Whoa whoa whoa… Just wait a second.  Just how in the hell can I be cousins with… with a bird?  Does that mean I hatched from an egg or something?”

\tPharstis covered her beak in a bit of a chuckle, “You can be cousins with me simply because your mother is my Aunt Destany.  Oh, and about hatching from an egg, no… Accipiterrans, Phedarians, and crossbred children of our kind are all livebirth.”

\tBlaise could only stare at Pharstis with a deadpan expression of shock.  Now it was Kalira’s turn to come forward, tail flicking a bit behind her, “Miss Pharstis…?”

\tPharstis turned to regard the Felidari, “Just Pharstis, please… I’m no older than you.  What’s on your mind?”

\t“You said that Blaise’s mother is your Aunt Destany.  When you say ‘is’, are you implying that his mother is alive?”

\t“Would I be implying something else, Kalira?  Yes… She is very much alive.  In fact, Maximar has great ties with her, as she is his commander in the Solra’vir.”

\tMaximar glanced to Blaise and blinked, “…So then… considering how she helped raise me, would that almost make us half-brothers to a degree?”

\tPharstis nodded to Maximar, “Not by blood, but roughly, yes, it would…”

\tNow Blaise’s mind was off the mission… he could only think of his dead mother, who apparently was very much alive.  He shook his head, “Pharstis… Where is she?”

\tPharstis blinked, then looked to Blaise, “I last saw her in Qes’trahl Bay before I left here to do some shopping for some materials I needed for teaching, but unfortunately, they were out of what I needed.  That was a few days ago though, as I’ve been taking a weekend vacation here to take in the sights.”

\tBlaise lightly grabbed her by the shoulders, “We need to get there as fast as we can then, Pharstis… Please.  If… If she really is alive…”

\tPharstis blinked, but then nodded, “Very well then.  I was ready to head back anyway.”

\tBlaise nodded, “Then let’s hurry. With any luck, she’s still there.”  He looked back to Kalira and Maximar, who still looked under shock from the news as well, “Come on, guys… Let’s go.  We’ve got a job to do…”

Chapter 10: A Small Bump On The Road

The group started their way up the inclined path towards the Strigidian Mountain Trail, with Blaise seeming to be the one eagerly leading on.  He had a mission to do, but now, he had all that extra drive behind him, to hopefully finally meet the mother he thought he never had.  Kalira shook her head, huffing, “Blaise, wait up…”

\tBlaise looked over his shoulder, “But why?  We need to hurry up before something happens at Qes’trahl Bay.”

\t“Cut the crap, Blaise.  I know you’re serious about missions, but I know you’re really trying to get there as fast as you can to see your mother, but…”

\t“But what?”

\t“You’re doing what you usually do… running along without a proper survey of your surroundings.”

\tBlaise stopped and rolled his eyes, “Oh, come on… This is a major roadway that’s traveled every day.”

\tKalira crossed her arms, “Then where are all the other travelers right now?”

\tBlaise blinked, starting to look around, “…You’re right.  Odd that we’re the only ones around…”

\tPharstis looked ahead at a nearby cave opening that the main road was leading into, seeing a pair of armored Lupani troopers from the Union standing there as if they were guarding it, “I don’t recall there being Union security here on the mountain trail when I got here.”

\tMaximar looked to Pharstis, “Really?  That’s unusual.  I’ve always heard the trail’s relatively safe.”

\tBlaise smirked, “Just stay calm.  I’ll handle this.”  He wandered up and waved, “Yo, guys.  What seems to be the problem?”

\tThe Lupani on the left, a white furred male, looked up and narrowed his eyes, “Sorry… The trail’s closed for all traffic right now.”

\t“Hey now… Don’t you know who I am?”  He thumbed at himself, “I’m Blaise O’Driscoll, Captain of Gryphon Squadron… and the four of us are on very important business.  We need to get to Qes’trahl Bay to rendevous with the Ver’dahnti.”

\tThe Lupani on the right, a black furred male, shook his head, “Well, ‘Captain’… No dice on doing that, I’m afraid.  We’re under orders to not allow anyone through.  There’s some serious business going on in the caves.”

\tBlaise narrowed his eyes, “Look, you mutts.  How about you let us through right now before I shove my foot up your ass?”

\tThe left Lupani laughed, “Oh, I’m so afraid… Look, just give me a second, ok?”  He turned on his radio, “Commander?  We got four guys here… A civilian, one of those Solra’vir guys, and two members of Gryphon Squadron… Oh, is that so? …Uh huh… Sure… Right… I’ll let them know right away.”  He turned off the radio, nodded to his partner, then suddenly, both raised their rifles at Blaise and the others, “You have clearance to go on through, as long as you all go in your own caskets!”  The Fenrir Squadron trooper raised his rifle, as did his cohort, the pair of them starting to rapidly fire at Blaise.

\tBlaise was too fast though, cartwheeling out of the dual gunfire spray, screaming out, “Kalira!  Max!  Let’s show these assholes what happens when they screw with us!  Pharstis, keep back!  I don’t want you getting hurt!”

\tPharstis shook her head, “Blaise, don’t tell me what to do!”

\tKalira and Pharstis were already on the black Lupani, with the Felidari ranger unloading a storm of longrifle fire all over his body.  Before he could recover, Maximar cut straight through the Lupani’s abdominal plating with one swing, then spun around with an overheard slash, splitting his skull and causing his body to collapse onto the ground.

\tBlaise, himself, was already on top of the white Lupani, cutting across his chest with his swallowblade.  He was ready to follow through with another strike, but instead jumped back as what looked like a flaming whip cracked down in front of him and struck the humanoid.  Blaise looked over his shoulder and blinked, as he saw Pharstis standing there with her sword drawn, yet the blade seemed to have the form of the flaming whip that slashed just in front of him.  Pharstis only smiled back to Blaise, giving a pirouette on a foot and another wide vertical swing of the flaming whip sword, cutting hard into the wolfman again,  “As I said… don’t tell me what to do.  I’m quite capable of fighting myself, even if I’m just a humble school teacher.”

\tSomewhat amused, Blaise thrust forward with his swallow, impaling the Lupani through the stomach, “Guess I learn something new every day, huh?” He looked over to Kalira, “Take ‘em out, Kali!”  Holding him up, the ranger turned her gun at the impaled, flailing lupine and opened fire, ending his life quickly.  With that done, he flung the carcass off his blade, brandishing his middle finger at it, “Asshole…  That’s what you get when you mess with Gryphon Squadron.”

\tThe white Lupani’s radio was clamoring loudly, <Bloodmoon-One, come in.>

Hearing the radio, Blaise wandered over, snatching it up, “And who’s the fleabag I’m talking to?”

A growl was heard on the radio, <This is Sergeant Tharn Grathara of Fenrir Squadron, Bloodmoon Lance.  You do realize that killing my men is an act of treason according to Union military protocols.>

“Oh ho!  Fenrir Squadron, huh?  I got some news for you then.  This is Captain Blaise O’Driscoll of Gryphon Squadron, and my group was simply wanting to travel the mountain trail to get to Qes’trahl Bay for a scheduled rendezvous point.  May I kindly ask WHY YOU JUST TRIED TO KILL ME JUST NOW AND BACK AT THE COMPLEX NEAR TAELYN PASS?!?”

<Colonel’s orders, O’Driscoll.  Just know that you’re marked as ‘shoot-to-kill’ if you dare to continue on the trail.>

Blaise chuckled darkly, “Is that so?  Heheheheheh… Thanks for the warning, Sarge.  I’m going to be nice to you and say that I’ve got a warning for you too.”

Grathara’s voice had a sudden tone of surprise, <…Is that so, whelp?  And just what is that?>

“Just be prepared to lose your life if you dare to wait for us… because, trust me… You don’t know just how bad of an idea it is to piss me off.”  Blaise shut off the radio and threw it off to the side, looking back to the others.

Kalira peered at Blaise, “…Fenrir Squadron?  What’s going on?”

Blaise tapped his chest-comm, looking to the Felidari, “Trouble, Kali… that’s what…”  He then focused down to speak into the device, “Command, this is Captain O’Driscoll with an urgent message.  I need a patch through to Colonel Rasaris right now.”

A few moments later, Leonis chimed in, <Blaise, what’s going on?  Haven’t you gotten to Qes’trahl Bay yet?>

“That’s the problem, Uncle Leo.  We arrived at Butea Piedmont and we have proceeded to move onto the trail, plus one civilian… Mr. Sha’dravyn’s younger sister, Pharstis to be exact.  It would seem that the Bloodmoon Lance of Fenrir Squadron is installed on the trail through the Strigidian Mountains, and according to their acting sergeant, they’ve been given orders to deal with us with lethal force… issued by their commanding Colonel.”

Leonis went silent for a few moments, then finally came on again, <…Colonel Karazor.  It’s all piecing together, with the bombing run, and now this.>

“I just want to know before we do it… Are we permitted to—“

<Permission granted, Blaise.  They want to kill you, so you’re more than allowed to return the favor.  What they’re committing is an act of treason, due to vehemently attacking fellow personnel.  What’s more, they have threatened others who have not shown any open aggression, including a civilian.>

Blaise chuckled, “Gotcha… and for the record, Uncle Leo… This civilian’s combat ability is nothing to scoff at.”

Leonis chuckled grimly, <Colonel Karazor was always known to make unwise, uninformed choices due to first impressions… Is there anything more?>

Blaise thought for a moment, but shook his head, “No… that’s all.”

<Very well then, stay safe up there, Blaise.  You know your father would have my head if something happened to you.>

Blaise smirked, “You worry about me too much.  We’ll stay out of trouble.”  He cut off his comm and looked to the others, then back towards the cave opening, murmuring to himself, “I have a feeling my mom would have Uncle Leo’s head too if I got hurt.”

Pharstis fixed her glasses a bit, “Well, cousin?  Have you satisfied yourself with your little conversation?  You took your time quite well, considering how much of a hurry you seemed to be in.”

The Captain looked to the black avian and huffed, “Was just checking up on a few things, Pharstis…”  He scanned over the others, “Well… I’ve got some good news, for better or for worse.”

Maximar crossed his arms, “And what’s that, Blaise?”

“Well, it turns out that we have full rights to mop the floor with our fleabag friends.  Lethal force completely a-ok.  It would appear that someone who has it out for me and Kalira is up to something.”

Kalira narrowed her eyes, hefting her longrifle over her shoulder, “Karazor, huh?  Someone’s really bitter, isn’t he?

\tBlaise grinned at Kalira, “Seems that way…” He then looked at the others, “So, what do you all say?  How about we teach all these assholes a lesson?”

\t

Chapter 11: The Radio Broadcast Massacre

Sergeant Grathara was waiting on a high peak of the mountain pass.  He was a very large Lupani with gray fur with dashes of black over his back and tail, and while tall at about seven feet, he wasn’t exactly the fittest of his kind.  In fact, one could even go so far as calling him especially porky, as his combat armor suit was stretching over his stocky frame.  He looked over a group of eight, fully armored Lupani troopers, complete with helmets over their faces.  Grathara pointed his lance at them, “Men, we have a situation.  We have four dangerous individuals who dare to stand against us, by meeting with rebels in Qes’trahl Bay.  They just killed two of your comrades and now they continue to scale up this very mountain trail.”  One of the helmeted Lupani, a lean youth considering his build, raised a handpaw, which made the plump lupine glare at him, “Speak, Corporal…”

\t“Who exactly are these hostiles?”

\tGrathara’s glare narrowed, “They consist of Gryphon Squadron’s two active members, a Solra’vir initiate, and a civilian.”

\tThe eight troopers started to murmur between each other until the previous one spoke up again, “Rebels, sir?  I mean… two of them are our own, and the others are—“

\tThe Sergeant growled thunderously, baring his fangs, “Are you questioning my orders, Corporal?”

\tThe Corporal shook his head, “No, sir… I—“

\t“Then why are you spouting off your hot air, pup?!”

\t“S… Sir… I’m just concerned that—HURRRrrrrrrrk?!”  The Corporal’s body went tense, dropping his rifle and clutching his stomach, muffled panting heard from his helmet’s mask.

\tGrathara stood there, his eyes glowing with a teal light, palm open and facing the Corporal, “What was that, Corporal?  I’m afraid I didn’t catch that!”

\tThe Corporal’s muffled panting turned into pained growling as it seemed that his gray suit was starting to slowly tighten, then swell up in the abdomen… causing the Lupani’s flesh to groan rather audibly and grotesquely.  The other seven troopers quickly staggered back, murmuring in horror.  He howled out in agony, “S… Sirrrrrr…! It… It hurts! S… Stop!!!”

\tThe Sergeant shook his head and sneered coldly, “This is what happens to those who question me…  Farewell, Corporal!” He clutched his open palm into a tight fist, eyes going wide with madness as he stared at the unfortunate trooper.  In a final, blood-curdling howl of pain, the Corporal’s stomach and chest swelled out rapidly to nearly four times their size and exploded open in a gory spray of his innards, showering Grathara with blood.  He pointed at the Corporal’s ruptured husk and flicked his finger to the side, using a force grab to toss it off the side of the cliff.  Rather satisfied, he then looked to the remaining seven troopers with an extremely psychotic looking grin, “What a pity… Using that little spell takes a lot out of me, and I was hoping to save it for one of our little guests.  So… Anyone ELSE have a question?”

\tWith a perfectly fearful shaking of their heads, the troopers barked, “Sir! No, sir!”

\tGrathara pointed his lance at them, “Good… Then get into your positions.”  With no hesitation, the troopers ran off to set up on the high ground and bridges connecting the cliffs… for fear of getting ballooned up and splattered open like their unfortunate, inquisitive comrade.  

Satisfied, the Sergeant jammed his weapon into the ground and picked up his radio, “Bloodmoon-Three, come in…  Any problems?”

\tA voice responded, <Problems?  No, sir.  Everything seems to be cle—eeEEEAAAaaaaaagh!!!>  The sound of gunfire and wet splattering was heard over the comm, another voice howling, <Holy shit!  His chest just exploded all over me!!  We’ve got incoming!!  We need support, n—GAaaaaaagh!! My knee!!  H… Help…!>  More gunfire was heard, joined by the sound of roaring flames and blades sinking into flesh, with more screaming following… only to be followed by silence.

\tGrathara growled deeply at the cacophony of sound over the radio, but once it went silent, he barked out loudly, “Bloodmoon-Three… Bloodmoon-Four, do you copy?  Come in!”  The radio was silent for a few moments, but then the sound of the comm on the other end getting picked up was heard.  Quickly, Grathara barked out again, “Bloodmoon-Four?”

\tMuch to the Sergeant’s chagrin, a voice that was quite unwelcome to him, <I’m sorry, but Bloodmoon-Three and Four can’t answer the radio right now.  Please leave a message after the tone, and they’ll get back to you… Oh, right… They’re DEAD!>  It was none other than Blaise.

\tThe fat Lupani twitched, totally befuddled by the reply that caught him off guard, answered while trying to keep his composure, “…So, Captain O’Driscoll, you’ve decided to press on, have you?”

\t<Oh, I don’t know… What makes you think that?>  Blaise’s voice was full of glee.

\tA growl swelled in Grathara’s throat, “For someone of such a rank as you, your manners are rather insolent, pup…”

\t<Maybe, maybe not… All’s I know is that you really opened up a can of worms.  Oh, wait a second… I got to put you on hold.  Company’s coming to play with us.>

\t“Wait!” bellowed the Sergeant, but his cry went unheeded.  Sounds of gunfire and landing blades into flesh were heard through the radio, followed by echoing noises of shattering ice, and it started to put him into a very cold sweat.  Did he underestimate this ‘insolent’ youth and his friends?  Very much so.  Within seconds, the radio went silent for a few moments.  Grathara’s ears flattened, his handpaw clenching his radio tightly… so much that the material it was made of creaked lightly.  And then…

\tA light huff was heard.  It was Blaise again, energetic as ever, <Whoo…  Sorry about that.  Another three down…  Let me tell, Sarge.  Your cronies really disappoint me.  I’m really hoping that at least some of your guys have some kind of skill, because I think we’re starting to get bored with what you have to offer.>

\t“You…  What are you?”

\t<I’ll tell you what we are… We’re the ones coming to kick your ass.  Give us a few minutes and we’ll be glad to play…  Hope to see you soon, as long as you don’t run away with your tail between your legs!>

\tGrathara was fuming now, taking his radio and throwing it over the side of the cliff to his right, howling in pure rage.  After his long, furious bellow, he yanked his lance out of the ground and snarled, looking down to the snipers set up on the nearby cliffs and bridges, “Bloodmoon Lance!  Prepare yourself!  The enemy’s pushing their way through the cavern!”

Chapter 12: Big F*#&ing Bats

\tBlaise tossed the radio he took from the Fenrir Squadron trooper they killed earlier over his shoulder and laughed to himself as he looked to the others, “Well… at least they know we’re coming.  Think I made a big enough fool of the sergeant?”

\tKalira could only smirk to Blaise, shaking her head, “Blaise… Always the smooth talker.”

\tPharstis rolled her eyes with a chuckle as she helped tend to a small cut on Maximar’s right arm with some magic, “More like someone who likes to spout off hot air.”

\tAs Maximar’s wound sealed closed, he let out a hissing screech, then grinned to Pharstis, “Trust me… He can back up that hot air, Pharstis.  Um… Thanks for the heal though.”  Much to his dismay, Pharstis gave a nice, firm pat on his arm where the wound was, making him tense and jerk back, “AWK!  OW!  Ph… Pharstis… It’s still sore!”

\tThe black avian just smirked to the warrior, “Oh, suck it up.  You’re the one who likes to play with sharp objects.”

\tBlaise snickered under his breath, then looked onward down the continuing cavernous path, “Kalira… think you could scout ahead and see what’s up? Scan for traps and the like?”

\tThe ranger nodded, slinging her longrifle over her shoulder, “Sure… Just sit back tight and I’ll give a looksie.” With that, she got down on all fours and started to creep forward, keeping in the darker shadows as she moved ahead, slowly fading from sight.

\tBlaise only watched every move of her, blushing and shaking his head as he caught an eyeful of her swaying rump as she went on ahead, clearing his throat, <Damn it… It’s almost like she WANTS to tease me.>

\tKalira crawled up to a wall and leaned her back up against it, replacing her rifle back into her handpaws and looking around the corner.  Thankfully, being a Felidari, she was gifted with a degree of good low-light vision, but even the dim light made it hard to see completely ahead. She squinted her eyes to try and see better, but there was nothing down the short, bending corridor.  The ranger shook her head, but then, she heard voices… very distant voices… Ones with a definite Lupani growl to them.

\t“Man… I’m not liking this at all… The more time passes, the more I hear the guys in front of us getting massacred…”

\t“Yeah? Well you’re not going to like it now… It sounded like the last guys who got killed were Five, Six, and Seven…”

\t“S… Seriously? But then that makes us—“

\t“Yep… That makes us the next two to face those four barreling through the trail.  Well… At least if those things in here don’t get them first…”

\t“You… You mean those bats the Sarge injected with something a few days ago?”

\t“You got it, pal… Trust me… I don’t think they have much of a chance if they find them…”

\tHearing this, Kalira raised an eyebrow and started to look upward, “…Bats?”  Lo and behold, there were bats that were somehow miraculously asleep with all the noisy racket that was being made, hanging around on the stalactites.  She shook her head and frowned, “…I’m starting to get a bad feeling about this.” She continued to let her eyes scan the high ceiling… Bats… Bats… and more bats.  A few seconds later though, a pair of two stalactites caught her eye, as no bats seemed to be hanging from them.  Kalira raised her rifle’s scope to investigate through night-vision, only to let out a quite gasp of awe… and worry, “…Those aren’t stalactites…”

\tIndeed they weren’t… For they don’t have ears, and on that note, wings.  Huge, bladed wings and a long, whip-like tail equipped with a curved, pointed bone that looked perfect for eviscerating an unfortunate victim.  Kalira’s horror was compounded when she saw one of the bats opening their wings, which seemed to have a good 15 foot wingspan.  The sight was enough for the Felidari to mouth a “…Holy shit.”  <If I’m not mistaken, I’m getting a bad feeling of déjà vu with those wolves from Taelyn Pass.>  She knew this was bad, because if those things woke up, things could get messy… fast…

\tKalira carefully raised her rifle and leveled her sight on the large chiropteran mutant that opened its wings, target right on its head, <Better be fast, Kali… Kill this one, or not… That other one’s going to come right for you…>  Her aim was steady… without twitching… and finally, she pulled down the trigger and held it, the barrel of her longrifle sparking with life as burning plasma sprayed up in a deadly cloud and rapidly peppered the creature’s head with gunfire, promptly making it explode open like a smashed pumpkin and its body plummeting to the ground slain with a loud crash!  Just as Kalira predicted, she moved her rifle’s sight to see the other mammoth bat open up its wings with a sonorous screech, the bellow making all the smaller bats awaken too and start fluttering madly down the corridor, away from the Felidari instigator.  Her ears flattened, “…Oh fuck, here we go.”

\tThe large mutant sprung off the ceiling in a twist, gliding rapidly at Kalira with another screech of fury, opening his mouth and baring teeth… fangs that would look much better in the place of a large bowie knife each.  Kalira was expecting this though, taking fire at the speeding chiropteran, but it was too fast, rapidly twirling into a barrel roll and lashing its bladed tail for her.  Using her agility though, Kalira rolled under the attack and got back up to her knees, taking more fire at it as it continued to soar swifly down the corridor towards the direction of the others.  The ranger roared out, “BLAISE!!! INCOMING!!”

\tKalira’s scream echoed back to Blaise, Maximar, and Pharstis, causing the three to look down her way.  Blaise raised an eyebrow, getting his swallowblade ready and trying to see just what was coming, “Um… Incoming? Just what do you think i—“  He was in for a shock as the bat pulled up in its glide and turned its back to them with another angry screech that screamed for blood, “—HOLY SHIT!!  That’s a big fucking bat!”

\tThe creature seemed ready to make another attempt for Kalira, but Pharstis gave it something else to think about, raising her handtalons in front of her, her eyes glowing with an icy blue light, “Oh, chilling wind, take form and hammer my foe from the heavens… DRAGONFROST!”  Just as it started to take its glide, the bat was smashed out of the air as the crystalline handclaw of a dragon formed in the air and slapped it hard onto the ground, the icy hand shattering into ice shards which almost instantly dissipated into wisps of steam.

\tIt wasn’t more than a second later that Maximar rushed in with his no-dachi and swung down to cut off one of the chiropteran’s wings before it could take flight again.  The bat flopped angrily and painfully on the ground, screeching more and more as blue-green blood sprayed from the wing socket.  The cries were silenced though once Blaise jumped onto its back and drove his swallowblade through the top of its skull, cutting off any brain function on the mutant beast for good.

\tBlaise shook his head, then called down the corridor, “Kali!! Are you ok down there?”

\tHer voice could be heard replying, “No harm done, Blaise!!”  Her feet could be heard approaching, and she looked no worse for the wear, if not slightly shaken, looking down at the slain bat, “I have a hunch…”

\tBlaise pulled his blade out of the bat’s skull, huffing and tilting his head, “…Oh really?  I think I do too…”

\tPharstis and Maximar looked at the two members of Gryphon Squadron curiously.  The schoolteacher fixed her glasses a bit, “Oh? And just what might that be?”

\tBlaise looked to Pharstis, “I think these bats are similar to the mutant wolves we fought back in Taelyn Pass…” He pointed down to the strangely colored blood pooling from underneath the chiropteran beast, “The wolves we killed there, their alpha had blood of a similar color, and our labs back in Hau’khaven confirmed that they had nanotech droids in their brain and muscle fibers injecting them with a mutagen.”

\tPharstis raised an eyebrow, “…Nanotech?  Used in such a way?  That’s madness…  Who would do such a thing?”

\tKalira frowned, looking to Pharstis, “…That’s what my hunch is.  I overheard two Bloodmoon Lancer members up ahead, saying that their sergeant injected these bats with something.”

\tBlaise narrowed his eyes, “…So then that would totally confirm that Fenrir Squadron was behind the wolves in the pass.”

\tMaximar looked down with a grim expression, “Then if that’s the case, it’s highly probable that they would be behind the problem the Ver’dahnti are dealing with in Syl’phedar Forest.”

\tBlaise was quick to tap his communicator, but he got nothing but static, “…Damn it.  I can’t get good reception back with base in these caves.”  He shook his head, starting to move on ahead, “No matter.  We’re just going to have to press on and show these guys just how much they’ve fucked up.”

\tNodding in agreement, the group started to move on.  Fenrir Squadron was going to pay for what they were playing with… and Blaise was ready to make sure of that.

Chapter 13: The Fall of the Bloodmoon

\tGrathara growled quietly to himself as he sat on his perch on the cliff, his mind slowly bloating with madness, <Those insolent fools… I’ll show them… I’ll show all four of them.  Heheheheheheh… They don’t have a chance with the ambush waiting for them once they leave the cave passage…>  His body was twitching in anticipation to hear their screams of agony.  Suddenly, one of the snipers on the cliffs below started to run up to where he was in deep thought.  The fat sergeant narrowed his eyes, “…Why did you leave your position, pup?!”

\tThe private gave a quick salute, “Um… s… sir…” He handed his radio shakily over to him, “I… It’s for you.”  With that, he quickly ran back to where he was supposed to be.

\tGrathara put the radio to his ear, “Yeah?”

\tThe voice was a low rumble, one that had no mirth at all in the tone, <Report, Sergeant… and make it good.>

\tThe sergeant’s voice lost all confidence with a small yelp, “C… Colonel K… Karazor…!”

\t<…What’s this? What happened to your usual confidence, Grathara?>  Again, the voice was cold and emotionless.

\t“N… No, Colonel. It’s nothing.  We did everything that you asked and there aren’t any problems…”

\t<You sound very uncertain…>

\t“No, Colonel… There are no problems.  We’ve closed off the pass in the Strigidians and no one’s getting through us!” exclaimed Grathara, voice cracking slightly.

\t<…Good, because I don’t want to clean up your mess, along with any unfinished business you leave behind.  You know how much I don’t like failure…  It gives me more, unnecessary bullshit to deal with.>

\t“O… Of course, Colonel…  You can have faith in my abilities...”

\t<I hope so… I hope so… For your sake…>  With that, the radio cut off, and Grathara started to break into a very cold sweat and dropped his trooper’s communicator.  Failure was not an option for him, whether Blaise and his cohorts brought death to him or not…

\tGrathara howled out, “MEN!!!  Anyone who kills one of the intruders will be given triple their pay rate for a year!”

\tMeanwhile… Blaise and the others were standing over the dispatched bodies of Bloodmoon-Eight and Nine.  The Captain rolled his shoulders a bit, “So... How much further through this cave, if anyone knows?”

\tPharstis stepped ahead, looking over her shoulder, “Not too much further.  Once we get out of these caves, there’s going to be a lot of bridges jumping from cliff to cliff, so the trek can prove to be quite treacherous on windy days.”

\tMaximar added, “Or, for that matter… a rouge Union military unit.”

\tKalira hmmmed, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they have snipers set up, just in case.  This could prove to be messy if not done right…”

\tBlaise chuckles a bit, “Oh, come on, Kali.  Since when has danger ever stopped us before?  Quality over quantity after all.  What’s the score now? Us: Nine, not counting the bats… Them: A big fat goose egg?”

\tPharstis just stared at Blaise, “…You’re keeping score?”

\tBlaise smirked to his cousin, “Why not?  It’s the only proper way on how to see how bad you’re kicking the other side’s ass.”

\tPharstis blinked, shaking her head, “I don’t know if I’ll ever understand you, Cousin…”

\tKalira giggled slightly, “Trust me… His antics blow my mind sometimes and I’ve grown up with him all my life.”

\tBlaise started to move on, “Well… if there’re more of them, we better not keep our hosts waiting.  It’d be rude of us to do so…”

\tThe Bloodmoon sniper team was set up on the bridges negotiating the cliffsides… Three on the highest bridge, another three on the one below, and the last two on the one below that.  Their interim leader raised a handpaw, shouting out, “Keep an eye on that lowest bridge, Bloodmoons… They only have one way up here…”

\tThere was a resounding chorus of war howls from the Lupani.  Now it was up to Blaise and the others to bring the fight to them… A fight they were sure to lose as the Bloodmoons had the high ground.  The snipers didn’t know who they were dealing with though…  There was a loud pair of wing flaps heard to the right of the mid-tier bridge, and the reaction time of the Lupani was less than satisfactory.  One called out, “W… We’re getting fla—AAaaaaaaaaagh!” only to be cut short as a large spike of ice flew through the air from Pharstis’s open palms and through his gut, dropping him on the spot.

\t“Shit!  Shit! Take them ou—“ cried another one who was beside the first fallen, getting silenced as a second pike of ice impaled him right through his armored face, his body dropping and tumbling off the bridge to fall thousands of feet to the earth below.  Such a fatal error made by the snipers, for they forgot one of the natural abilities of Accipiterrans and Phecipiterrans: flight.  No sooner than the first two died, another from the lowest bridge they were situated on tried to run for Pharstis, but before he could pull the trigger, a great looming shadow enveloped him.  It wasn’t even half a second that Maximar dropped out of the air with a downward thrust through the trooper’s chest, swiftly and violently extracting the blade upward and kicking him off the cliff.

\tGrathara ran to the side of the cliff as he heard the start of gunfire and screaming, eyes going wide as he saw the beginning massacre of the snipers, “No… NO!!!  This can’t be happening!”

\tNow it was Blaise and Kalira’s turn to start running out across the ‘only way’ up to the Bloodmoon’s sergeant.  Blaise called out as he ran ahead, pulling out his handgun and firing a few shots to try and snag a few of the remaining four snipers… yet the bullets didn’t make much purchase on their targets, “Kali!! Snipe them down!”

\t“I’m on it…” A sniper took aim from the highest bridge at Kalira and fired.  The Felidari flipped sideways out of the shot’s way, landing on the bridge in a crouch and firing right back, her own shot catching the offender in his head.  His armored helmet saved him from death, but the force of the hit caused him to stagger back and trip over the rope railing of the bridge he was on… No helmet would save him from a fall like that.

\tThe last lupinoid on the lower bridge position took aim at Blaise and fired, hitting him in the left shoulderplate as he ran across the winding path of bridges and cliffs, “Whoa!  You piece of SHIT!!”  The trooper whimpered, fumbling to reload his rifle, but it was too late, as Blaise got right on top of him and gave a hard backhand to the face, clobbering him off the bridge to finish him off, “Let’s see if you can fly, asshole!” The Lupani let out a pitiful cry of death in his plummet into hell.

\tThe Sergeant of the Bloodmoon Lance stared in disbelief still, “…I… I can’t believe it.  Five of the seven snipers dead in a matter of a minute…”  His mind was in shambles as he saw Pharstis fly up to one of the last two and cut him down with her whip-like, flaming blade, and then Maximar cutting down the last one.  It wasn’t long before Blaise looked up to the highest cliff, seeing Grathara in the distance.  The fat Lupani whimpered and started to turn tail and run, “I… Impossible… No…”  Grathara’s nightmare was coming true… His entire sixteen man unit was gone, and he was next.  He completely underestimated the skill of his four adversaries, and he was about to pay for it in dividends involving his blood.  He was almost at the cavern entrance at the peak he was surveying the massacre from, when…

\t“Well, well, well… What do we have here?”  It was Blaise… The four of them finally caught up with Grathara, and none of them looked very happy to see the chunky sergeant.  The Captain of Gryphon Squadron stepped forward, “I think we found who’s in charge of this whole operation, and boy… No wonder you couldn’t out run us.  Apparently someone digs into the doggie biscuit bag too much, huh?”

\tGrathara huffed and puffed, turning around with a fearful look on his face which he quickly tried to mask, “You… don’t realize what you’re up against, pup…  Allow me to show how powerful I am!”  He thought to himself, <The little trump card I wasted on the corporal should be replenished by now…>  In a final act of desperation, he thrust a palm out at Blaise and howled in gleeful psychosis, “DIE!!!”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, “…What do you think you’re doing?”

\tThe Sergeant’s expression dissolved into terror, seeing that the exploding spell was not recharged enough to use… But he continued to try casting it anyway, each time an utter failure, as his aethereal reserves were burnt out.  <N… no… I can’t use it!!>

\tBlaise shook his head and grinned, “Look… Whatever hocus pocus you’re trying to use isn’t going to work.”  He looked back to the others, “Let’s say we clean house, everyone?”

\t“N… No…!” cried Grathara, who started to run for his life, but it was too late.  Kalira raised her rifle and fired a few shots into his back, causing a loud yelp of pain and his legs to stumble.

\tQuickly, Maximar ran forward with his no-dachi held by his side.  Grathara thought to himself as he turned, raising his lance’s shaft perpendicularly to the Accipiterran’s incoming, spinning overhead slash, <There’s no way that that sword can break through the vulcanized steel plating of my lan—>  It appeared that the Lupani’s luck had run out, as Maximar’s blade smashed into the lance and shattered the weapon in two, the katana blade following through and making a very deep, diagonal slash down his fat chest and belly.  Coughing up blood from his muzzle, the sergeant grabbed at his stomach, trying to keep any of his vital organs from spilling out, gurgling, “N… no…”  The pain was unbearable, forcing him to drop to his knees.

\tBlaise looked to Pharstis, “…How about you show me your big guns, cousin? I’m curious to see just how destructive this magic stuff of yours is.”

\tGrathara’s eyes widened as Pharstis started to trace runes into the air in front of her.  She nodded to Blaise’s request, “With pleasure…”  Her voice started to chant… voice echoing with power as her eyes glowed white, “Oh, Serathia…  Blessed Mother of Light herself…”

\tA ring of golden light started forming around the incapacitated Grathara, whimpering and still coughing up blood.  Pharstis continued, starting to weave more runes through the air, “…I summon thine radiant lance…”  Motes of light started to drift up from the ring… “…to purify this forsaken soul…”  With a vertical thrust of her left handtalon into the air, she screeched triumphantly, “DAZZLING RAY!!!”

\tIn an instant, the ring of light erupted into a large, vertical beam of searing light, only the silhouette of the sergeant seen atomizing into nothingness in a matter of a few seconds…  The final sound that came from him was an agonized howl as the beam faded into a flurry of light motes that snowed towards the ground.  All that remained of Grathara was a messy smear of black cinders.

\tBlaise just stared at the display, then once the leader of the Bloodmoons was made into ash, he turned to applaud for his cousin, “…Hot damn.  Maybe if I can ever get a hold of controlling that aetherea stuff, I can do cool shit like that.”

\tPharstis’s eyes lost their glow as she looked to Blaise, smiling faintly, “Perhaps… Perhaps not.  It all depends on the aptitude and drive of the user.”

\tKalira sighed in a bit of relief, slinging her longrifle over her shoulder, “Well… That’s enough excitement for today, I think.

\tMaximar nodded as she sheathed his no-dachi, “Agreed…”

\tBlaise chuckled, then tapped his chest for his communicator, but then he realized something… it wasn’t there.  He looked down and winced, noticing that it was fried from the shot he took a few minutes ago in the shoulder, “Son of a bitch… Looks like we’re cut off from contacting home base.”

\tKalira shook her head, “Just be happy it was only the radio.  We’ll be ok, Blaise.’

\tThe Captain nodded, looking on to the cavern ahead, “…Right.  So, Qes’trhal Bay is just past this cavern, huh?”

\tPharstis nodded, “That’s correct.  The tunnel leads down back to sea level and comes out about a mile southeast of the city.”

\tMaximar hmmmed, “Sounds simple enough… Shall we get a move on, then?”

\tBlaise nodded, “Yeah… let’s.  We’re already behind schedule on things.”

\tWith that said, the group made their way into the descending tunnel to continue on their way to Qes’trahl Bay.

Chapter 14: The Descent to Qes’trahl Bay

\tAfter a short bout of healing their wounds and resting up, the voyage for Qes’trahl Bay continued.  The descent through the northern tunnel was rather uneventful… well… at least in the sense of danger.  The group of Blaise, Kalira, Maximar, and Pharstis were split up between the guys and the girls, with the two pairs speaking about random things, yet the girls… were being much more mundane in their conversation with each other and lagging behind Blaise and Maximar. On the other hand, the males’ conversation was just getting interesting…

\tBlaise glanced to Maximar, “You know, Max…”

\tThe avian glanced over, “Hmm?”

\t“I still think you’re hiding something… about you and Kalira…”

\tMaximar’s eyes went wide, “Wh… wha?”

\tBlaise only grinned at him, “What REALLY went on with Kali’s tour, huh?”

\t“Ok… Ok… I’ll be honest.  The tour was really uneventful…”

\t“Pfft… honest, huh?  The way you’re acting—“

\tMaximar muttered, “Will you let me finish, Blaise?”

\tThe Captain beamed to the Accipiterran, “Sure, sure…  finish away.”

\tThe avian cleared his throat, taking a deep breath, “Well… after it was done, I figured that I would go to the lockers to take a shower.  The one thing that Kalira forgot to tell me was…  umm…”

\tBlaise blinked a bit, then peered closely at the warrior, gesturing with a hand to keep it going, “Uh huh, uh huh… C’mon, Max.  Get a move on…”

\t“The showers at your base were co-ed… I’m relaxing under the water with my eyes closed, then when I open them… There’s Kalira… Naked in the shower across from me and smiling as if it was completely normal.”

\tBlaise blinked again, just staring at Maximar, “…Naked?”

\t“…Naked.”

\t“…You’re sure of this?”

\t“THEY were staring me right in the face…”

\tBlaise stopped for a second, in which Maximar did as well.  There was pure silence between the two of them, until the former finally spoke up, “They…?  W… wow.”  What he really wanted to say was, <You fucking lucky bird.  I’ve grown up with her all my life, and you beat me to THAT?>

\tIt wasn’t long until they started moving again, Maximar chuckling, albeit a tad bashfully, “Yeah… Wow is probably a good word to label that encounter.”  He then tilted his head, “I’m wondering though, Blaise… What do you think about Kalira?”

\tBlaise blinked, “…What do I think about her?”

\t“Well…  Yeah.  The two of you seem to have a bit of a bond, even if it gets a bit… rickety from what I saw.”

\tThe human shrugged, “What can I say?  I mean, I grew up with her for pretty much all my life, so in all truth, I care about her a lot.  I mean…  Back in Taelyn Pass, when that huge mutant wolf came down and hammered Kalira hard…  I feared for the worst.”

\t“I think that’s a good bond, indeed, Blaise.  Are you going to be ok?”

\t“…What do you mean, am I going to be ok?”

\t“Well, if what Pharstis says is true… that your mother is alive as she says… What do you think you’ll do if you see her?”

\tBlaise looked down, “Honestly, Max…  I don’t know.  I’m trying to think and I can’t give a good answer to you.  I mean…  I’ve lived my life thinking she’s been dead ever since I was born, and now here I am, nervous as all hell… and clueless on what to say to her.”

\tMaximar tilted his head, reaching over and patting him on the shoulder, “I think when the time comes, you’ll find the right words.”

\tBlaise glanced to the Accipiterran, smiling as best as he could, “…I hope so.”

\tIt wasn’t long until the group finally started to arrive at the tunnel’s end, stepping out at the top of a small plateau overlooking a grand city resting to the northwest on the crystal-blue, ocean coast.  Pharstis pointed out to the city, “There it is, the capital of Raptayvia, Qes’trahl Bay.”  The setting sun to the west over the water spread its golden light over the city’s windows, making its tallest buildings gleam like gold as they stood high over the earth.

\tKalira stepped forward with a purr, “Wow… That view’s something else.”

\tBlaise quietly stared at the city for a moment before he started to continue on down the trail descending the northern face of the Strigidian Mountains, “…We need to keep moving.  We’ve already been held up enough as it is.”

\tMaximar hmmmed, “…Blaise is right.  If it wasn’t for that run-in with that Bloodmoon Lance, we would’ve been in Qes’trahl Bay hours ago.  Not only do we have to meet up with your brother, Pharstis, but if Commander Sol’ryas is also there, I need to make my report on the rebel incident back in Taelyn Pass.”

\tPharstis pushed her glasses up on her beak’s bridge a bit, turning to face the others, “…I suppose that’s the best course of action then.”

\t

The group started to push on, but they didn’t realize that a figure was watching them from a ledge high above the tunnel’s entrance.  The figure was a lithe one and had the look of a humanoid phoenix, hued with deep red feathers with gold running down her throat and presumably her front as it disappeared into her loose, white, sleeveless tunic and shorts. A long crest of gold feather-like hair tied in a ponytail ran down her back and her long tailfeathers gently shimmered like flame.  She watched the four continue down on their way, eyes locked on Maximar, <Hm…  It’s about time that Maximar finally started to arrive.  I was getting worried that something bad happened to him in Taelyn Pass.>  Her gaze followed the others then, <And it would seem that he ran into Pharstis as well along the way.  I wonder who those other two are though.  Not familiar at all, aside from the fact they’re Galactic Union personnel.>  Eventually, her eyes fell on Blaise especially, seeing the logo on his shoulder, <…That insignia.  They’re part of Gryphon Squadron, huh?  I wonder what’s going on.>  The firebird moved along, keeping out of sight of the others.

Blaise was leading along, hands in his pockets and mainly seeming relaxed in general, “So, Pharstis…  Where exactly are the Ver’dahnti stationed in Qes’trahl Bay?”

The Phecipiterran looked to her cousin, “Well, Blaise…  They’re all over the city, working as the guards, but their headquarters are in, believe it or not, the park in the center.”

Blaise raised a bit of an eyebrow, “…The park?  So what are these guys, forest rangers or something?”

Pharstis smirked lightly, “For lack of a better term, yes.  They’re druidic warriors who make themselves one with Accipiterra’s nature.”

Blaise blinked, then formed a light smirk, “So what you’re saying is that they’re tree huggers.”  He then winced, “Oh damn it all to hell… I really hope they don’t hold all the wolf killing in Taelyn Pass against me.”

Blaise’s cousin just stared at him blankly, slapping herself on the head with her talon’s palm, “Wh… wha? NO!  They are NOT tree huggers!”

The human snickered, “Oh, lighten up, cousin… I’m kidding, I’m kidding…”

The stalking firebird continued to watch with a blank expression, raising an eyebrow, <…Well this Blaise certainly doesn’t have much tact.>  Blaise’s last words made her suddenly blink in confusion though,  <Wait…  Did he call Pharstis his cousin?>  Her confusion dissolved into disbelief, <N… No… He couldn’t be.  Could he…?>  The avian’s shadowing of the group’s descent down the path stopped for now, leaning her back against the face of the cliff, “It’s him… It’s really him…”

Chapter 15: The Fateful Meeting

At last, Blaise and the others set foot towards the front gates of Qes’trahl Bay under the light of the full moon, with two of the Ver’dahnti standing guard.  Seeing the approaching group, one of the guards, an older russet-furred male Vulpani stepped forward, “Wait up… Who goes there?”

Blaise blinked, then crossed his arms, “Hey now…  Surely you’ve heard about us coming.”  He thumbed back to Maximar and Pharstis, “First of all, you should know these two, considering this is their hometown.”

The other Ver’dahnti, a female panther-like Felidari much younger than the Vulpani, looked the avians over, nodding, “The stranger speaks the truth, Tharon.  Pharstis helps teach the children here during the week and Maximar’s her neighbor since birth.”  The panthress looked the two Union troopers over and purred, “And I’m going to assume the two of you were the ones sent from Hau’khaven to help us investigate the strange behavior of the wildlife in Syl’phedar Forest.”

Kalira nodded, “That’s right, ma’am.  I’m Lieutenant Kalira RaLunara and my partner here is my captain, Blaise O’Driscoll.  Active team of Gryphon Squadron…”

The panthress nodded with a smile, purring, “Well met, then.  You can call me Lunara.  Our headquarters are closed for the moment for business due to the late hours, not to mention that Pharstis’s brother is still out with some others fighting some of the hostile creatures now.  Besides, you’re probably in need of a rest after heading through the Strigidians.”

Blaise scoffed, “You don’t know the half of it, Lunara…  We were held up along the way.”

Lunara tilted her head, “More animals going mad?”

“Try coming up against soldiers from our own organization that apparently had orders to kill us.”

The panthress raised an eyebrow, “…Union troops?  That’s highly unusual…”

Blaise rolled his eyes, “Yeah… you think?”

Tharon glared at Blaise, “You could show a bit more respect, boy.”

Blaise looked right back at the Vulpani, “And I think you could s—“

Kalira grabbed Blaise by the shoulder and pulled him back, “Blaise… it’s not worth it.  We’re supposed to help them, not pick a fight…”  She giggled a bit uneasily, moving in front of Blaise, “Don’t mind him… Blaise tends to get a bit irritable, especially when unexpected roadblocks get in our way.”  The Captain grumbled under his breath, something about not minding one more little scuffle with a crotchety old fox.

Lunara couldn’t help a little smirk, “Understandable… The Ver’dahnti have reserved a room at the inn for you, so you can get some rest for the meeting tomorrow.”

Maximar was already starting to walk in ahead as Pharstis came over and grabbed Blaise by his other shoulder.  She nodded, “If you don’t mind, I would like to attend the meeting as well.”

The pantheress nodded, “Of course, Pharstis.  Please, don’t let us hold you up…”

The avian nodded, then looked to Kalira, “Let’s go, before my dear cousin decides to let his hair trigger off again and cause trouble.”

Kalira only smirked as they started to drag Blaise along, “Right…”

A few hours passed, and the group checked into the Bueni Somnus Inn at which the Ver’dahnti placed their reservation, and it wasn’t long before everyone was fast asleep… Well… Almost everyone.  As quietly as can be, Blaise, dressed only in his white undershirt and red camos, woke up from the couch he was resting on in the suite and sighed, “…I need to take a walk or something.  I can’t sleep at all.”  He looked around before getting up and pulling his jacket on as he went slipping out of the room, “…Sure they won’t mind if I just go down to the inn’s pub and grab a drink.”  Much to his surprise, he seemed to be stealthy enough to get out without even the usually-alert Kalira stirring from her sleep.

Within a few minutes, he left the elevator in the lobby and moved into the pub, heading right for the stools at the bar to take a seat.  Considering the clock on the wall displayed a rather late hour, it was needless to say that the pub was quite empty, aside from the bartender behind the counter, a rather elderly, plump Accipiterran of the snow owl variety.  The bartender glanced up to the sitting Captain and nodded his head to him, “Hey, kid… It’s not often that I get a customer this late… or early for that matter.  Everything ok?”

Blaise glanced up to the bartender, shaking his head, “Don’t worry about me… I’m fine, aside from the fact I can’t sleep.”

The owl chuckled, “Just from the tone of your voice, I’m sure there’s something that’s causing it…” He regarded Blaise’s outfit, then hmmmed, “Mission got you on edge?”

“Not really… Missions hardly ever bother me, it’s just that I’ve kinda been thinking about someone.”

Suddenly, another voice, with a accent similar to British, was heard… a beautiful female one to be exact, “I suppose something like that can be troubling, yes…  Someone you hold dear to your heart?”

As Blaise looked over his shoulder, he saw the firebird that was covertly stalking him and the others during their descent of the Strigidians.  He raised an eyebrow, expression blank, “Yeah… Maybe… But it’s really not any of your business, lady.  I’ll share what I want to share.”

She started to step towards the bar, her body carrying an uncanny grace with each step.  Quickly, the bartender lowered his head in a very respectful manner, “Milady Solra’vir…  You’re here at an odd hour.  Would you like your usual?”

The Solra’vir smiled to the owl, nodded, “Please, Rayquas…  I would appreciate it, and put whatever the young man orders to drink on my tab.”  With that said, she sat in the stool right beside Blaise, looking to him, still offering the same smile she gave to the bartender, “Fair enough…  I will not dig in any deeper than you wish.”

Blaise glanced her over a bit, <…Good lord, she’s hot.>  Almost TOO long…  She wasn’t exactly stacked like Kalira in the curves department, but she definitely beat out Pharstis’ much more modest build.  It was almost as if she was crafted by Solravis himself…  Pure perfection.

That only made her smirk, resting her head on her talon propped up on an elbow, “You act like you’ve never seen a Phedarian before, young one…”

Blaise blinked, snapping out of his revelry, “H… huh?  Oh… No… Actually, you’re really the first one I’ve ever been up close to.”

The Phedarian smiled, “…I see.  So…”  Her eyes looked at the gryphon insignia on his shoulder, then back to him, “Gryphon Squadron, hmm?  Best of the best, from what I know…”

Blaise shrugged, “Maybe, I guess…”

Rayquas peered at the Captain, as he prepared the Phedarian’s beverage, a tall glass with a deep lavender liquid in it, “Hey, kid… You going to order anything?  She IS paying for you, you know…”  He pulled out a match and after lighting it, he ran it quickly over the drink, and in a flash, the surface of the drink erupted into a blue flame.

Blaise jumped a bit at the burst of heat that bellowed from the drink, then looked at him, “Um… I think I’ll just have a normal beer, if that’s ok.  I’m not so big on giving my digestive tract third-degree burns.”

Rayquas nodded, setting down the Phedarian’s drink and moving to get Blaise’s order.

“Mmmm…” sounded the firebird, who sipped a good bit down of the fiery liquid, looking to Blaise again, “I’m curious as to why you’re here… Whenever Gryphon Squadron’s dispatched, there’s always something big going down.”

Blaise looked to her, “It’s a pretty long story…”

She simply smiled back to him, “I have the time… That is if you’re willing to share.”

He took a deep breath, the owl finally serving him a mug of beer, “Well…  Ok…  It all started when my lieutenant, Kalira, and I were dispatched to Taelyn Pass to deal with a rebel uprising threatening Hau’khaven…”

A few minutes and sips of drinks later, Blaise was coming up on the tail end of the story, “…so, we eliminated the apparent traitor unit after a pretty lengthy skirmish and finally made it here.”

The Phedarian nodded, having finished her own drink and pushing the glass to the side,  “So you had to deal with the strange hostility that’s been growing in the animals around lately…  and you have reason to believe that this traitor unit you’ve faced was behind it?”

Blaise nodded, “Kalira wouldn’t lie about what she heard the soldiers talking about, plus we’ve dealt with animals that were highly mutated through what our military labs have suggested that it’s being caused by nanotech drones that inject something into the creatures to enhance their size and strength, let alone their aggressiveness.”  He sipped at the last of the contents in his mug, then looked to her.

“…There used to be a top secret project about 25 years ago being undertaken by the Galactic Union that involved using nanotechnology for enhancement, but last I remember, something went wrong in the lab and the project was reported destroyed,” noted the Phedarian.  “I’m wondering if there would be some sort of link, considering you’ve said that this Fenrir Squadron was talking about injecting creatures with something.”  She then sighed, slowly pushing herself up from the table, “It’s late, young man…  I should get going and get some rest before the sun comes up.  I suggest you do the same.”

Blaise looked up to her curiously, “…A lost project, huh?  Hmmm…  Well… thanks for the drink, lady.”

She nodded with a smile, putting her gald down on the counter to pay the tab, then patted him on the shoulder, starting to walk out quickly, “Stay safe, Captain…  I hope we shall meet again soon.”

Upon the touch on Blaise’s shoulder, his body went tense, his mind suddenly filled with a warmth and exploded into a rapid flood of memories… ones that he could hardly remember due to being too young...  

 Blaise found himself standing in a large hall, the air foggy all throughout as he wandered forward, “…Hello?!  Is… anyone here?”  His movement brought him to see the Phedarian woman he was just sitting with at the bar, covered in a blanket, looking much younger.  Blaise could see his father standing there, a man with a shaved head and an eyepatch over his right eye and a goatee on his chin, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, and looking younger just like the Phedarian.  It appeared that she was being attended to another Phedarian, male with golden feathers, dressed along the lines of a physician.

The physician chirped, his hands between the woman’s legs, “Now push, Lady Destany!”

With a scream, this Destany arched her back, panting with teary eyes, holding onto the hand of Drake with hers.

Drake enveloped her hand with his other free one, “C’mon, hon… You’re doing fine…”

Blaise blinked, calling out, “Father?!  Who is this?  What’s going on?!”

But Blaise’s questions went unheeded, as if he wasn’t even there.  The physician nodded, “Good… The child is crowning… Give another good push and he should be out…”

Drake smiled, patting the back of the Phedarian woman’s hand, “Almost, hon… Almost…”

Once again… “Now push!”

With one more screeching scream, another voice was heard, the voice of a baby crying.  The physician was holding a human child, which he handed over into the mother’s arms, “It’s a baby boy, Lady Destany… Congratulations…”

Drake was brimming with pride, “So… what’re we going to call him, Des?”

Destany cradled the newborn in her arms, nuzzling him with her beak, obviously exhausted from the exertion of childbirth, “…Blaise.  Let’s call him Blaise.”

Blaise’s eyes went wide, “Wh… what? B… Blaise?! Then that would mean…”

Blaise jolted awake from the vision, looking around and shivering, “…No… Where did…?”  He quickly looked to the bartender, “S… Sir… Where did…?”  Then a thought hit him in the head, <…Wait.  Oh damn it…  I was mentally hitting on my mother?!?  AUGH!!>

The owl shrugged, cleaning the glasses with a towel, “Who?  Lady Sol’ryas?  She already left… plus it almost seemed as if you just zoned out for a bit there.”

Blaise shook his head, then ran out of the pub, looking in all directions in the lobby, “Mom? MOM!!”  But she was no longer there… It was almost as if she was a ghost.  The Captain closed his eyes, clenching his hands into fists, “…Damn it.  No… That… That was her…”

\tDestany’s departure was quite the swift one, as she already reached the fields outside of Qes’trahl Bay, laying back in the grass and staring up to the starry night sky and letting out a low, somewhat sad sigh.

\tMoments later, a mote of light about the size of a basketball materialized nearby, hovering over her head.  The sphere emitted a female voice with a very serene tone, “Mistress…  You are torn, are you not?”

\tDestany nodded as she sat up, looking up to the mote, “…Yes, Serathia.  Part of me wants to respect His Radiance’s wishes, but…”

\tThe light sphere hovered gently in front of her face a few feet away, “…But, you want to be together with your son again, even if it means defiance.”

\t“…Yes.  He said that I am forbidden to be reunited with him, but…  It’s too difficult.  Especially after tonight, seeing him for the very first time since he was only a newborn.”

\tA sigh echoed from mote of light, “…I understand.  My father is too adamant on things, but…”

\tDestany chirped quietly, “…But what, Serathia?”

\t“Before you decide to do anything, keep in mind that direct defiance can result in severe punishment, Mistress.”

\tThe Solra’vir’s eyes closed, “The life I’ve been living, separated from Blaise, is punishment enough, Serathia.  I can’t make any promises that I won’t do something foolish.”

\t“…The sire of your child truly rubbed off on you since the day you’ve met him.”

\tDestany could only smile faintly at that, “…Maybe so… Maybe so.  He’s like his father though…  He’s working to help people, even if he IS a little coarse in his manners.”

\tSerathia went silent for a few moments, before stating, “…A person’s actions are not predetermined, but chosen by free will.  The one belief in which would go against my father’s fears on your son, but it is not one he’d so easily follow, considering what happened millennia ago, when the decree made by him and Tal’vora was not followed.”

\tThe Solra’vir shook her head, “…My son will not do anything to endanger this world.  Please, Serathia… You have to trust me on this.”

\tSerathia’s avatar when silent at that, then stated, “…I hope you’re right.  And for your sake, I really hope you think through your actions.”

\tMeanwhile, back at the suite, Kalira had woke up, noticing that Blaise was gone out of the room.  She was only dressed in her tight, green tube top and black boxers as she got out of bed, moving towards the door and opening it… Only to see Blaise standing there, exclaiming in a hushed tone and a stern expression, “Blaise!  Why aren’t you asleep on the couch?!  Do you even know what time it… is…?”  The serious, scolding look on her face quickly dissolved, seeing that Blaise had tears running down his face and his eyes shut.  The Felidari shook her head, moving to hug him, “…Blaise…? What… What happened?”

\tBlaise was sobbing, resting his head on Kalira’s shoulder, making her fur damp with his tears, “M… My mother…  I… I met her in the bar…  I didn’t realize it… until she was gone.”

\tKalira frowned, shaking her head, “Shhh…  It’s ok, Blaise… It’s ok… Tell me what happened.”  She was really concerned for her best friend... for this was the first time he broke down with his emotions… ever.  <It’s not like him to be like this…  Something bad must’ve happened.>

Chapter 16: The Mystery of Blaise’s Existence

\tKalira and Blaise were in her bedroom in the suite, the pair of them sitting on the side of the bed.  Kalira had an arm around Blaise’s shoulder, purring soothingly to him, “…So you’re saying that you… witnessed yourself being born…”

\tBlaise nodded, tears no longer running down his face, but his eyes were definitely puffy and red from all of it, “Yeah… It… It happened when she touched me on the shoulder as she left.  It triggered that soul link thing that Pharstis did with me back at Butea Piedmont, only this one was extremely powerful.”

\t“Enough to bring back the memory of one thing that’s almost impossible for any of us to remember… Being born.”

\tBlaise nodded again, looking down at his lap, “She’s alive…  I know it.  She gave me life, and afterwards, was totally alive… and cradling me.  She… never died just after I was born.”

\tKalira hmmmed, “Something’s not adding up then…  Your father said that she died, but here you are, in such emotional trauma after running into this Phedarian woman who triggered the memory of your birth from the touch of your shoulder.”  She looked a bit… skeptical, but she wasn’t ready to just brush it aside, adding, “What I don’t get is… Why would your father lie to you about the truth?”

\tAnother voice cut in before Blaise could answer… It was Pharstis, “Perhaps he is protecting you, Blaise…  Your mother has always spoken about you.”

\tBlaise stared at his cousin, “…She did?  Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?!”

\tPharstis shrugged, “Perhaps because I felt you wouldn’t believe me.”

\tKalira frowned at Pharstis, “…You know something, don’t you?”

\tThe Phecipiterran nodded, “I know that Blaise is forbidden to go to Sancta Solaryon.”

\tBlaise and Kalira looked to each other, then back to Pharstis, almost speaking in stereo, “…Sancta Solaryon?”

\t“Yes… the first and only remaining city of the Phedarians, home to the Radiant One, Solravis.”

\tKalira raised an eyebrow, “…Wait, the home of Solravis?  But I thought he is a god.”

\tPharstis only smirked lightly, “Indeed he is, Kalira… and he lives among his children in the city as their ruler.”

\tBlaise shook his head, “…A god living with mortals.  I find that hard to swallow.”

\t“Understandable… He doesn’t actively rule, but he is, by far, the supreme leader of this world’s affairs, and your mother said that he stated you are a threat to this world…”

\tBlaise’s eyes widened, “…A threat?  But why?”

\tPharstis shook her head, “Your mother never went into much detail about it…”

\tBlaise sighed, holding his head, “…I should’ve never woken up to go down to that bar so late.  Now I’ve got a damn splitting headache.”

\tKalira gently pushed Blaise down onto his back, “Then sleep, Blaise…”

\t“B… but what about the briefing?” asked Blaise.

\tKalira offered him a reassuring smile, “You shouldn’t go if you’re not feeling well, and besides… considering you didn’t sleep last night, you’d probably start to snore in the middle of it.”

\tPharstis chuckled weakly, “…Kalira is right.  I really don’t think my older brother would appreciate someone sleeping during the briefing anyway.”  She started to head out, “…I’ll need to wake Maximar.  The two of us will meet you outside of the inn, ok, Kalira?”

\tKalira nodded, “Sure.  I’ll only be a few minutes.”  Pharstis nodded and left, then Kalira turned to look to Blaise again, laying on her side next to him, “…Are you going to be ok?”

\tBlaise closed his eyes, “…Maybe.  I don’t know.  I guess I just have a lot of questions on my mind now…  Don’t let me hold you up, Kali.  I’m sure I’ll be ok with some sleep.”

\tThe Felidari smiled lightly, “…Ok.  I’ll let you know what’s going on once we get back.”

\tBlaise shifted to get himself comfortable, “Yeah…  Sure, Kali.”

\tKalira sighed, then started to slip out, grabbing her things along the way.

\tMorning finally came, and Maximar and Pharstis weren’t waiting long for Kalira to finally come out, but Kalira seemed to carry a less-than-common grim expression on her face.  The ranger looked to Maximar, “…Max, hon?  Do you think you could move on ahead and let the Ver’dahnti know we’re on our way?  I need to talk to Pharstis about something.”

\tMaximar blinked a little, but nodded, seeming to catch a look from Kalira as if she meant it, “Ok…  Sure.”  The warrior made his way off to inform the Ver’dahnti that they were on their way.

\tPharstis tilted her head, fixing her glasses lightly with her handtalon, “What is it, Kalira?  I’m guessing you have a lot on your mind…”

\tKalira growled quietly, “You’re damn right, I do, Pharstis…  I have a feeling that you’re letting off much less than what you really know.”

\tPharstis hmmmed, “You mean about Blaise?”

\t“Who else would I be talking about?”

\t“…Good point.”  Pharstis looked over her shoulder, then back to Kalira, “How about we talk while we head to the Ver’dahnti headquarters?”

\tKalira put her hands on her hips, then sighed, starting to pad along with Pharstis, “So you said that… Blaise has been labeled a threat?”

\tPharstis shook her head, not looking at the Felidari, “Kalira, I told you that my aunt never went into much detail about it.  If I knew about it, I would be glad to share, but I’m afraid I don’t have the knowledge you seek.”

\t“Not even a hunch?”

\t“Well, it might be related to this one ancient prophecy foretold upon the end of the Celestial Cataclysm…  but I don’t have much faith in that.”

\tKalira tilted her head, “…The Celestial Cataclysm?”

\t“Ah… so they don’t teach about that at your Academy, do they?” said Pharstis, a smirk forming on her beak as she glanced to Kalira, “I think I’ll tell you more once Blaise is with us again after the meeting.  It wouldn’t be right for him to miss out on this.”

\tKalira shook her head, “No, Pharstis…  The Academy really only tells of history mostly relevant to the Galactic Union.”

\tPharstis quietly chuckled, “I think your Union needs to realize that the history that they know of is not the only important information there is…  Oh well, I guess they just haven’t compiled our history in their own yet…”  She shrugged, “Don’t think I’m hiding anything from you.  It’s just I don’t want to construct facts that aren’t completely true…”

\tKalira nodded slowly, “I understand… I’m sorry if I seemed a bit threatening for a moment.”

\t“Oh, not to worry, Kalira…  You care for Blaise and that’s something admirable,” noted Pharstis, who grinned a little at the ranger, “It’s a shame he still hasn’t learned much in the way of manners though, with someone as level-headed as you being with him as a friend…”

\tKalira shook her head, “He’ll snap out of it eventually… someday.  I’m sure of it.”

\t“Hmmm… perhaps you’re right…”

Chapter 17: Bad Developments

\tFinally, the group was assembled in the meeting hall of the Ver’dahnti headquarters, with Maximar, Kalira, and Pharstis all sitting side by side at a round table within a rather arcanely designed circular room.  A few of the Ver’dahnti were standing guard by the only exit of the chamber, and things seemed a bit off… particularly for Pharstis.

\tThe Phecipiterran sorceress tapped her talon’s fingers on the table, “I don’t like this…  It’s unlike my older brother to be late to something important…”

\tMaximar looked over to Pharstis, “You don’t suppose something happened, do you?”

\tKalira shook her head, “I wouldn’t worry about it too much, I think.  He’ll be here…”

\tA few moments later, the guards stepped aside, and Lunara, the Felidari woman from the gates, came wandering in, taking a seat across from the trio, “Good morning…”  She looked around curiously, noticing that one was missing, “Where’s Captain O’Driscoll?”

\tKalira chimed in at that, “He felt that he didn’t get enough rest from our hostilities in, so I told him to keep resting and I’d inform him of the situation later.”

\tThe panthress nodded, “I see…  I hope he’ll be ok.”

\tKalira giggled slightly, the tone a bit uneasy, “…Yeah.  Stress can be hard on him sometimes.”

\tMaximar looked around as a few more Ver’dahnti entered the hall.  Blinking, he then looked to Lunara, “Where is Commander Sha’dravyn?”

\tLunara frowned, “…He has gone missing.  We expected him to be back since yesterday, but he never arrived.”

\tPharstis grimaced at the news, “The only times that brother was ever late was that something important came up.  This has to be no exception.”

\tThe panthress nodded, “You’re right…  Last I spoke to him, he said that the animals were apparently coming from the vicinity of the Ancient Reliquary in Syl’phedar Forest.”

\tMaximar tilted his head, “…You mean those Phedarian ruins?  Hmm… It sounds like as if someone’s trying to make it look like the wrath of Solravis is turning on them, if the main source appears to be there.”

\tKalira looked to Maximar, then nodded, “That someone being Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron, most likely…”

\tLunara peered at her fellow Felidari woman, “Someone you know?”

\tKalira nodded with a bit of a growl, “All too well…  Lunara, you all stay back and keep in touch.  We’ll head to this Reliquary place and put an end to this problem.”

\tLunara blinked, “…Just you three alone?”

\t“Along with Blaise, yes.  You see, Blaise and I have a bit of bad blood with the Colonel, so consider this a bit of a grudge.”

\tThe Ver’dahnti started to murmur among each other… sounding rather perturbed by Kalira’s vendetta-laced words, but Lunara raised a handpaw, “Quiet!  …If that’s what you want, Lieutenant, then so be it.  Are you sure you can do it alone?”

\t“We’ll do it, along with making sure that your leader and any survivors come back home safe.”

\tLunara could only smile and chuckle some at that, “Nice to see such confidence then…  Just don’t be afraid to call for help if needed.”

\tKalira giggled, “Oh don’t worry… We like danger, but we’re not stupid.”

\tPharstis fiddled lightly with her glasses, looking to Lunara, “Did my brother say anything that there was any trouble?”  The Phecipiterran looked uneasy, wondering if Shadorn was hurt… or worse.

\tLunara looked to her, shaking her head, “No.  You know how he is though, if he finds that something’s getting out of control…”

\tPharstis nodded, presumably finishing off Lunara’s statement, “…He always sends a message for help.”

\tLunara looked to Kalira again, “About your comment on this Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron…”

\tThe tigress tilted her head, “Yes?”

\tLunara slid over a few pictures to Kalira, “Our scouts managed to get some surveillance and noticed some Union troops in Syl’Phedar Forest.  Is anything familiar in these?”

\tKalira looked them over, and within seconds, a deep growl was forming in her throat and chest as she saw Union troopers, all Lupani, standing over a few dead Ver’dahnti.  She could clearly see the insignia on the troopers’ shoulder pads: the image of a black wolf with a blood red eye, mouth wide open and biting down around the sun.  She murmured, “…That’s definitely Fenrir Squadron.”  She continued to look over the pictures, then froze, feeling a cold chill run down her spine.  On the last photo, there was a silver Vulpani with a raw build of muscle dressed in a black trenchcoat, but the main thing that stood out on him was the right side of his face.  There was a complete set of metal plating on the upper right hemisphere of his head, complete with a bionic eye and mechanical ear receptor.  Kalira didn’t realize it, but her handpaw gripped and crumpled the photo into a ball, her voice hissing with bile and hatred, “No doubt about it…  That’s Colonel Verenz Karazor.  I swear… once I get my paws on him, I’m going to—“

\tMaximar put a talon on her shoulder, “Kalira… calm down. Save your anger for the battlefield.  It’s not like you to act like this.”

\tKalira closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to try and calm her rage, but her voice was still brimming with hatred, “…Yeah.  Come on.  Let’s go get Blaise so we can find Pharstis’s brother and deal with this fleabag…”  It wasn’t long that Kalira got up from her seat and stormed out of the hall, with Maximar and Pharstis following behind her quickly.

\tKalira was walking at a brisk pace for the inn, when Maximar and Pharstis finally caught up to the tigress, the former chirping, “Kalira! Wait up!”

\tKalira stopped and turned around the face the avian pair, “What is it? The more we wait, the less chance we might have finding Commander Sha’dravyn and stopping the colonel…”

\tPharstis frowned, “Kalira… if I may be frank… You’re starting to act like Blaise, rushing head first into things without much thought.  One of these days, it’s going to get you… or him killed.  There must be some major reason why you want to go after this Colonel Karazor so much.  As much as I worry for my brother, I’m sure he’s fine, considering his resourcefulness.”

\tKalira clenched her handpaws into fists and looked down, “Back when we were in the Academy, Colonel Karazor was the one professor you didn’t want.  Full of himself, always looking to pick a fight with those he didn’t like, and sometimes trying to make a move on the female cadets.”

\tMaximar raised an eyebrow, “Sounds like a real lecherous fool…”

\t“You don’t know the half of it…  On the other hand, he was extremely efficient in what he taught:  Marksmanship.  He was the top firearms-user in the entire Union, and held many records in targeting competitions for about 20 years straight…  That is until I came along.”  Kalira sighed, putting her arms behind her back and looking up to the sky, “On my Freshman year, I managed to tie all of his records… Sophomore year?  Smashed them into dust…  Let’s just say that the colonel was less than pleased with the outcome of me, his top student, managing to upstage him on everything that he accomplished.”

\tPharstis nodded, “Hmmm…  A bitter old fox indeed.”

\tKalira growled, “I’m not done yet.  After the awards ceremony, Colonel Karazor asked to meet with me in his office, saying that he wished to honor my victory personally in privacy.”  She sighed, “Being the gullible young girl I was, I went to visit him.  It wasn’t long after that I entered that he made an advance on me and backhanded me across the face.”  Maximar and Pharstis’s eyes widened in both shock and anger, but the Felidari continued, “Naturally, I began to protect myself, and I remember him saying this: You took away something important from me, so I think I’m going to take something away from you that you’ll never get back.  Next thing I knew, he pressed me against the wall and started to try ripping off my clothing… At that time, I understood what he meant.  He was going to rape me…”

\tPharstis gasped, “…The monster.  I—“

\t“The Colonel never got the chance, a few seconds when he started to try and disrobe me, I heard the door kick down and Blaise ran in.  Seeing what was happening… I never saw Blaise do what he did then.  His eyes went a blank white and the air around him was flaring with heat.  Colonel Karazor let me go and lunged for Blaise, which was the biggest mistake he ever made.  I was starting to feel faint from the blow I took from the Colonel, and before I passed out, I just remember hearing a howl of pain and seeing a white flash of flame explode out of the upper right quadrant of the bastard’s face.”

\tPharstis raised an eyebrow, “…And Blaise said he doesn’t know how to use his aetherea.  I can gather that the blaze that burst out of your dear friend’s face could only be caused by the use of aetherea.”

\tKalira sighed, “It was the only time I’ve ever known him to use it.  Seeing him like that… It really frightened me for that short moment before I passed out.”

\tMaximar crossed his arms, “What ever came from the Colonel after that?  Surely he didn’t get away with it.”

\tThe Felidari shook her head, “Absolutely not… A tribunal found him guilty of assault of a student, and attempted statutory rape, which was meant to lock him up for good.”

\tPharstis huffed, “Well, obviously someone broke him out of jail…”

\t“Actually, no, Pharstis,” stated Kalira.  “As a bargain, he was apparently released early from jail with a deal made by the higher-ups of the Galactic Union.”  She frowned, shaking her head, “As much as I hate to say it, they saw him as a great disciplinarian, so while he’s still under his sentence, which should last the rest of his life, he’s the warden of Twy’kruss Penitentary in Jaminecia.  Keeps him in jail, but at the same time, makes him ‘useful’ to the Union.”

\tPharstis scoffed, “More like shows how corrupt leaders can be…”

\tKalira nodded, “I suppose so… If Karazor is out and about of his prison, then he most likely found some sort of loopholes with the leeway he was given.”

\tMaximar chirped in, “Loopholes or not, what he’s doing is unforgivable, and we have to stop him.”

\tKalira nodded, “Right… Let’s get back to the room and check up on Blaise.”

\tThe three of them finally got back to the room, and Blaise was already up and about.  He looked over to them, taking note of their less than happy expressions, especially Kalira, “…So what did I miss at the briefing?”

\tKalira growled, shaking her head, “Trouble…  Big trouble…”

Chapter 18: Getting Ready To Move Out

\tBlaise cracked his knuckles and muttered once Kalira, Pharstis, and Maximar went over the details on how Pharstis’s brother went missing and the appearance of Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron in Syl’phedar Forest, “Fucking mutt…  I really hope he’s still around in the forest, because I think I’m going to finish the job I should’ve done back in the Academy.”

\tPharstis shook her head, “Cousin, don’t stoop yourself down to this man’s level.  Of course, the acts that he has done are unforgivable, but he treads along an extremely evil path.  If you let your bloodlust take you over—“

\tBlaise turned and snapped at the black avian, “Shut up!  I’ll never be like Colonel Karazor… NEVER!!”

\tPharstis looked like she was ready to say something, but instead turned away and shook her head.  Maximar glanced to her, then to Blaise, “She only means well for you, Blaise.  After hearing about what he tried to do to Kalira, we hold nothing but hatred for him as well…  Let’s just use this drive to bring him to justice.”

\tBlaise glanced to Maximar, shaking his head, “Justice did a damn fucking fine job on keeping that fleabag locked up in a kennel.  This time, we’re going to play with MY style of justice…”

\tPharstis sighed, “Let’s just hope YOUR style of justice doesn’t get you killed.”

\tKalira strapped her rifle over her shoulder, “How about we just stop this infighting so we can work together, ok?  Who knows what’s waiting for us inside the forest… or the ruins for that matter?”

\tMaximar nodded, “Kalira’s right…  If the ambush in the Strigidian Mountain Pass was any indication, I can only imagine that Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron are prepared for any hostilities.”

\tBlaise rolled his shoulders and head a bit, “Whatever they try isn’t going to work.  C’mon…  Let’s hurry up so we can get going…”

\tHaving gotten their gear ready, they started to make their way out, but Kalira stopped Blaise for a moment, putting her handpaw on his shoulder, “…Blaise?”

\tThe Captain blinked, looking back to her, “…Huh?  What is it, Kali?”

\t“…Are you feeling ok?”

\tBlaise blinked, then turned to face her, “Yeah.  I think so.  That little rest did help a bit, though…  I’m still kinda bummed out I didn’t realize that my mom was right next to me sooner…”

\tKalira sighed, purring and slipping her arms around his waist from behind, “Blaise…  Don’t let it get you down.  You’ll find her again…  I’m sure of it.”

\tBlaise tensed a little at the hug, but found himself leaning back into it a bit, closing his eyes, “…Yeah.  I hope so.”  Lightly, he wrestled out of the embrace and started to head out, “Let’s go, Kali.  We got work to do.”

\tKalira watched him as he started to move out, then sighed, starting to follow after, “…Right.”  In her heart though, she was saying something more, <I just hope you can open up more to me, Blaise.  Please…>

\tMeanwhile, the Ancient Reliquary of Syl’phedar Forest stood quietly in the deep cover of the tall trees around it, and Colonel Karazor was looking around from where he stood on the foyer.  The silver Vulpani scanned the area in front of the ruins with his arms crossed, his fluffy tail swishing behind him, “Hmmm…”

\tBreaking his concentration, a short, helmeted Fenrir Trooper, a Vulpani most likely, considering the copper bushy tail he had with the white tip, came out of the temple, giving a salute and speaking in a very youthful voice, “C… Colonel, sir!”

\tThe Colonel didn’t even look back, “…What is it, pup?”

\t“Um… The next batch of animals have been injected, sir, and are ready to be inserted out into the forest.”

\t“…Good.”

\tThe trooper shifted a bit in place, “Sir?  Why are you standing out here?”

\tKarazor flicked his bushy tail, not saying a word as he continued to scan the woods in front of him.

\t“Sir…?”  The trooper took a step forward, only to leap back with a yelp as Karazor shifted his body and fired a long-barreled pistol at him, just missing his feet.

\tKarazor growled quietly, “You have faster reactions than I thought, Zalesar.  You better be fast about getting out of my sight before I try shooting you again, got that?”  A whimper came from the youth as he turned tail and ran back into the interior of the temple.  Quietly, the Colonel growled to himself as he started to scan the forest again, “I swear, if I get my hands on that feathered freak… I’m going to give him a slow, painful death.  Then, once I get rid of him, I think it’ll be time to spread the fun into Qes’trahl Bay itself since their guards would be without their leadership.”

\tNot too far off, a large, rather plump, black-furred wolf was sitting behind a tree, staring at the Colonel from afar.  The beast was huffing lightly, shaking its head and closing its green eyes slowly, <Damn it… Where are those Union guys?>  As quickly as it could, the wolf started to run off deeper into the woods with a bit of a limp to its movement.

Chapter 19: Off to Syl’phedar Forest

\tNo sooner than Blaise and the group came out of the inn, Lunara was waiting for them, standing beside two hover bikes.  The panthress purred and waved them over, “Hey, you four…”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, staring at the two vehicles, still in a bit of an agitated state, “And just what’re these?”

\tLunara smirked, “Well, I got to thinking when I saw Kalira stormed out of the briefing upon hearing who was in Syl’phedar Forest… There’s no way you’d be able to get there on foot so quick, so I’m lending you two of our Peregrine hover bikes.  I trust you can drive them?”

\tKalira nodded with a bit of a smile, “Of course…  Blaise and I had lessons for riding them as part of basic training.  Thanks for the support.”

\tLunara nodded, “Sure thing…  I want this Colonel friend of yours to stop his trouble as soon as possible, so I’m doing what I can to help that along.”

\tPharstis dipped her head, “It’s appreciated, Lunara.  We’ll make sure that we find Shadorn out there, and bring him back safely.”

\tThe black Felidari nodded, saying in a tone that betrayed her concern, “…Yeah. Thanks.”

\tMaximar tilted his head curiously as he looked to Lunara as she spoke with Pharstis, asking, “…Lunara? Is something wrong?”

\t“H… Huh?” The question caught Lunara off guard, and she rapidly shook her head, “N… No, it’s nothing.  Just… Good luck, ok?”  With that, the Ver’dahnti feline padded off.

\tBlaise moved to one of the bikes and straddled himself onto it, grumbling a bit, “Luck’s going to have no hand in this.  It’s all about the skill.”  He eyed his companions, “We’re moving…  Pharstis? Hop on and hold onto me.  Max?  You do the same with Kalira.”

\tMax blinked, looking to Kalira, who was already pulling herself onto the second bike, then Blaise, “Um… right.  Will do.”

\tKalira giggled faintly as she looked to the aquiline warrior, “Just hop on… You know I don’t bite.”

\tPharstis raised an eyebrow, staring at Kalira, and then glaring at Maximar, “And just WHAT does she mean by that?”

\tMaximar was sitting behind the Felidari ranger, and then blinked, going tense and peering at Pharstis, “…She doesn’t mean anything.  R… Really…”

\tKalira was also quick to his defense, shaking her head at Pharstis, “Take it easy, Pharrie…  Max is telling the truth.”

\tThe Phecipiterran’s eyes widened behind her glasses, “Ph… Ph… Pharrie?!”

\tLunara gulped lightly, quickly stepping between the two women, looking to Kalira, “Kalira… Don’t call Pharstis that.  Her brother calls her that as a term of endearment… and it’s one she tends to… well… dislike.”

\tKalira winced at that, blushing, “Oh… Um… sorry.”

\tRegardless of the apology, Pharstis huffed and pulled herself up onto Blaise’s bike, wrapping her arms around her cousin’s waist.  She quietly muttered to herself about something along the lines of a cow, which Kalira thankfully didn’t hear.

\tBlaise sighed, turning on his Peregrine and revving its engine, “Let’s just get going.  Kalira, I’m not in the mood, so quit picking on my cousin…”  He looked over his shoulder to Pharstis, “Hang on, Pharstis…”

\t“…Hang on?  Just what do you think you’re going to d—?!”

\tHearing Blaise’s protective tone, Kalira raised an eyebrow.  Before she could answer back though, the Captain went full throttle and sped off on a wheelie with Pharstis heard holding on for dear life, a distant, panicked protest to slow down heard from the Phecipiterran.

\tMax only stared at the showy spectacle, and then shook his head, “Blaise needs to show some restraint…”

\tKalira frowned, shaking her head with a sigh, “…Yeah.  I’ve been hoping he would do so for years now…”

\tMaximar tilted his head, “Kalira?  What is the matter?”

\tThe tigress closed her eyes, “No, it’s nothing.”

\t“…Don’t lie to me, Kalira.  Your tone tells me otherwise.”

\t“Max… I…”  Again, Kalira sighed, “Ever since Blaise met Pharstis and learned that she’s his cousin, he… he just seems different.  It’s almost as if he’s forgotten about me.”

\tMaximar blinked, but smiled faintly, “…Kali, I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten about you.  I mean, think about it…  He’s grown up without any true family, and for the first time in his life, he’s managing to learn that he not only has cousins, but his mother is very much alive.  Consider it initial shock.  Trust me.  You’re the last person he’d forget about.”

\t“Yeah… Sorry, Max.  You’re probably right.”  She looked back to him with a weak smile, “Ready to hold on?”

\t“Hold on? Oh, yeah…” He carefully situated his arms around the feline’s waist… VERY carefully.  In fact, his handtalons were shaking a bit.

\tA small giggle came from Kalira, “Max?”

\tMax blushed, “S… sorry.  I’m just being careful not to… um… grab too high.”

\tKalira thought about those words for a moment with a raised eyebrow, and then her giggle grew, “That’s what I like about you, Max.  You’re sweet… and polite.”  She reached down and gave a gentle pat on his talons situated on her belly, “Got a good grip?”

\t“Yeah.  Whenever you’re ready, Kali.”

\tKalira nodded, putting her goggles on over her eyes, “Alright.  Let’s jet!”  With a twist of the throttle, the feline and aquiline sped off to catch up with Blaise and Pharstis.

\tBlaise kept his high speed up as he got out of the city, with Pharstis hanging on for dear life.  The sorceress screeched out, “BLAISE!  Don’t you even know where you’re going?”

\tBlaise kept his eyes ahead on the road, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to speak up, cousin!”

\tPharstis shook her head, “I asked if you knew where Syl’phedar Forest is!”

\t“Aheh… Not a clue.  I just thought I’d look for the first, closest thicket of woods and start heading for them, considering it’s a forest and all.”

\t“…You’re hopeless.”

\tBlaise stopped the Peregrine and looked to his cousin with a slight blush, “…Well, sorry.  I’m kinda fired up with the notion that someone I really don’t like is behind all of this, and I kinda forgot to ask for directions…”

\tPharstis rolled her eyes, “You’re lucky that I’m familiar with the area…” She looked around, looking towards the northeast, which was, in fact, the direction they were headed in the first place.  The sorceress blinked, “…And through some stroke of dumb luck, it appears you WERE heading the right way.”

\tBlaise rubbed the back of his neck and smirked, “Really, now?”

\tPharstis nodded, “Yes, really…” She went silent for a moment, but then spoke up, “Blaise… something’s been bothering me about you as I was holding on during the ride just now.”

\t“Huh?  What is it?”

\t“You said that you can’t control your aetherea, correct?”

\tBlaise blinked, then shook his head, “…No, not at all. I can hardly even summon it for healing wounds quicker, but it only actively comes out when my emotions are high… particularly in anger.”

\t“Just as Kalira explained when talking about what you did to Colonel Karazor, with an uncontrolled blast of flame…” She fixed her glasses a bit, “While I’ve been holding onto you, I could feel your aetherea raging, Cousin…”

\t“Wh… wha?  Hey now, Pharstis.  What’re you trying to say?”  Blaise wanted to keep a straight face, but he was losing horribly, eventually falling into a snicker fit.

\tFor a moment, Pharstis was slow on the uptake, but then, once she realized his joke… her talon balled into a fist and smacked Blaise nice and hard on the top of the head, “BLAISE!  We’re cousins!  How dare you think I was doing THAT to you?!”

\tBlaise winced, but couldn’t stop laughing, “OW!  Oh, come on, Pharstis… You left yourself open for that one.”

\tThe black hen huffed, neck feathers bristled and her talon fixing her glasses, her nares glowing a very deep red of embarrassment, “P… Perhaps I did…” Again, she gave him another good smacking on his head, “I don’t know who’s worse: you or my brother, Shadorn!!”

\t“OW!  Aheh… I guess there’s only one way for me to find out for myself.  Anyway, what’re you trying to get at with this aetherea stuff?”

\tPharstis calmed herself and sighed, “Well… I think it’s really a matter of training.”

\tBlaise shook his head, “Matter of training, my ass.  Cousin, the Union had their best Aetherealists try to train me on using my aetherea and they hardly got anywhere.  Perhaps I’m just not cut out for using it at all.”

\tPharstis smirked faintly, “Amusing words from someone who’s usually so cocksure.”

\tWith a roll of his eyes, the Captain huffed, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

\t“Oh, nothing, Cousin…  Just give it time, and I’m sure you’ll get a hang of it.”

\t“Pfft… right.  I’d probably get close to death sooner than I could use that stuff, Pharstis.  I’ll stick to the hacking and slashing while you have fun with that spell-slinging of yours.”

\t“Why give up?  Just—“  Pharstis was suddenly cut off by the sound of roaring engines.  With the sounds coming ahead, it wasn’t Kalira and Maximar…

Chapter 20: Aethereal Burst

\tBlaise and Pharstis stared out ahead, as the roaring of vehicles were approaching fast from the northeast.  The Phecipiterran frowned, “I’m getting a bad feeling about this.”

\tBlaise shook his head, “You too, huh?”  Quickly, he activated the scanner on the Peregrine, staring down at the bike’s console.  The screen came to life, with a synthesized female voice, <Awaiting command…>  Blaise screamed, “Computer, scan whatever’s ahead and fast!”

\t<Scan is out of range.>

\t“Well, try fucking harder!” boomed Blaise.

\t<Scan is ou—> The voice cut out on a beep, then resumed, <Targets at 1000 meters and closing… Scanning… Scanning…>

\tBlaise growled, “Come on!  We don’t have all fucking day!”

\t<Scanning… Complete.  Two vehicles approaching.  Designation: Galactic Union.  Vehicle class: ‘Puma’ Armored Personnel Carriers.  Total of aethereal signatures detected: 30, 15 per vehicle.  Unit Insignia confirmed as Fenrir Squadron, Sundevourer Lance.>

\tPharstis winced at that, “…Did it just say—“

\tBlaise finished her thought, “—Thirty.  Yes… Yes, it did say thirty.”

\tBefore they knew it, the two Pumas, brandishing the symbol of the Sundevourer Lance, were on top of them and had Blaise and Pharstis surrounded… even more so when the 30 lightly armored troopers comprised of Lupani and Vulpani got out of the APCs and raised their weapons at them.  One of them, presumably the Sergeant, stepped forward with his rifle raised, “You’ve entered a restricted area, you two…  What business do you have here?!”

\tMeanwhile, Kalira and Maximar were speeding along on their own Peregrine, heading for the northwest as Blaise and Pharstis were.

\tKalira growled quietly, “You know… It would’ve been nice for Blaise to wait up for us.  Who knows what’s waiting for us in the forest…”

\tMaximar chuckled a bit, “Yeah, well…  What can you do?  That’s just how Blaise is, Kali.”

\t“Ain’t it the truth, Max…”

\tMaximar shook his head, “He may be reckless, but I’m sure he has common sense to not do anything too stupid.”

\t“You give him a lot more credit than he needs sometimes, Max.” noted Kalira with a smirk, looking over his shoulder at him.

\tSeconds after Kalira made her statement, the Peregrine beeped, <Artifacts scanned at 1000 meters and closing.>

\tKalira blinked and looked ahead as she skidded her bike to a halt, “…Computer? Can you get an ID on what’s ahead?”

\t<Processing…>

\tAs the information came up on screen and was spoken with the computer’s voice, Kalira’s eyes widened, “Shit…  They’ve mobilized and got Blaise and Pharstis surrounded!  Let’s go!”  With the screech of the Peregrine’s engines, they were off in hot pursuit to save their comrades.

\tWith a loud crack, the Sergeant took his rifle and hit Blaise hard across the face with its butt, causing the Captain to drop down to his hands and knees, “AUGHK!”  Blaise spit out a good bit of blood and got back up, glaring at his assailant, “…You really think you’re… going to… get away with this…”

\tThe armored Sergeant grinned under his helmet’s facemask, raising his rifle at Blaise, “Colonel Karazor has so many plans, so we’re not going to let some upstart like you get in his way.  I’m going to give you five seconds to get on your bike and leave us be.  If not…”  He then turned his rifle at Pharstis, whose eyes widened behind her glasses. “…Well, your pretty, feathered friend here is going to need an executor for her will.  Now then!”  The armored Fenrir trooper raised a hand, pointing up a finger, “One…”

\tBlaise’s fists clenched tightly, his breathing getting heavier, “You wouldn’t dare…”

\tA second finger of the Sergeant rose, “Two…”

\tPharstis looked to Blaise, “Cousin? What…?”  The sorceress could feel it… Blaise’s aetherea was swelling a violent rate, and the air around him was building in temperature.  Either the troopers didn’t mind the rise in temperature, or it could’ve just been the fact that their suits were heat resistant!  She winced, opening a wing and raising an arm to shield herself, “…Oh no. This must be—“

\tAnd another finger… “Three…”

\tBlaise growled, and the grass around him started to sizzle and smoke, “Pharstis... Jump…”  The human’s eyes started to glow with golden light, his teeth gritting in fury, <…Fuck.  I feel like I’m on fire!>

\t“Fou—eh?” The Sergeant looked up, seeing Pharstis take to the sky quickly.  “FIRE!  Shoot her d—“ and then looked down at the lightly burning grass by Blaise’s feet then back at the Captain’s burning visage, “…What are you…?”

\tThe troopers seemed confused at the Sergeant’s indiscretion, half wanting to shoot at Pharstis, but half staring at the anomaly around Blaise with some even starting to back up.

\tBlaise grinned like a horrific devil at the Sergeant, “I’m your WORST NIGHTMARE!!!”  He threw his arms out, the light sizzling roared into a rapidly expanding ring of fire, the fury of his uncontrolled aetherea washing over the now-terrified troopers, instantly turning a good twelve of them into black cinders.  The others that didn’t manage to get vaporized by the nova were either running in fear, or screaming on the ground in flames, rolling on the ground to try and get them out.

\tPharstis’s eyes widened as she watched the explosion from above, “…By Solravis.  What IS that power?!”

\tKalira skid her Peregrine to a halt again when she and Maximar saw the large blast of flame blossom around the area where Blaise and Pharstis were.

\tMaximar’s eyes widened, screaming, “NO!!!  BLAISE!!  PHARSTIS!!”

\tKalira shook her head, looking up, “Pharstis is fine, Max!  She’s airborne!”  She pointed at the flames, “I can only imagine that Blaise’s aetherea got loose.  Come on!  Let’s see if we can help!”

\tIt was a massacre.  Within a minute, all but the Sundevourer Sergeant were dead, either slain by Blaise’s flames or his swallowblade, with Pharstis seeing the whole thing with a bird’s eye seat.  With a sneer, Blaise wandered over to the terrified leader, picking him up by the throat with one hand, “You broke very VERY bad rules, fleabag.”

\tThe weak, injured Sergeant weakly wriggled, clutching at Blaise’s hand gripping around his neck with his own, “R… Rules…? *cough*”

\t“That’s right… They didn’t teach that shit to you when you went to obedience school, did they?  Number one: Don’t fuck with me… Number two: No one fucks with my family!”

\tOnly a gasp came from the Sergeant’s throat, “F… Forgive… me…”

\t“Request denied, asshole…” Blaise let go of his victim and spun around with a hard kick to the stomach of the Sergeant, the force of the blow shattering his armor plating and causing his body to take flight, head first into the side of one of the Puma APCs with a resounding snap from the neck.  With that done, he rolled his shoulders and head, letting off a few stiff snaps from his joints, only to wobble a bit and drop to his knees.

\tPharstis quickly swooped down and ran to her cousin, “Blaise!  Are… Are you ok?”

\tBlaise was about to answer when another screech from a vehicle was heard.  Kalira and Maximar finally arrived, hopping off their bike and running over.  Kalira looked around, then shook her head, <It happened again… His aetherea went out of control…>

\tMaximar didn’t seem too concerned with all the dead Fenrir troopers around, stooping down by Blaise, “So you couldn’t save any for us, huh?”  The aquiline couldn’t help but smirk.

\tBlaise sighed, laying back with a smirk, “Sorry, Max…  I guess I got greedy…”  Slowly, he passed out, or drifted asleep… One or the other.

\tPharstis sighed, “…I’ve never seen anything like it.  Kalira… This was more than just a simple, pinpoint fireball.  This was a huge explosion of flame around his body…”

\tKalira looked to Pharstis, noticing her shaken composure, “We’ll camp here until tomorrow.  It looks like Blaise needs the rest, and you need to get your nerves back in line.”

\tPharstis nodded weakly, as Maximar came over to put a handtalon on her shoulder, causing her to look up to him, then back to Kalira with a slight smile, “Y… yes… Please… I’d appreciate it.”

\tThe tigress sighed and lowered herself beside Blaise, resting his head in her lap, <Blaise…>

Chapter 21: The Dimensional Divide

\tBlaise slowly woke up, yet his surroundings were not his previous ones.  “H… huh?  What the hell?  Where am I?”  He looked around, finding himself floating in a limbo with drifting islands and an iridescent sky.  And then, falling… He started to fall straight down towards a small island.  Screaming, Blaise flailed his arms to try and slow his descent, but due to not having wings, it was all for naught.  With a great thud against the dirt of the island, a large cloud of dust billowed around the Captain, “Ugh…”  Oddly enough, the impact really didn’t hurt him, as he got up and dust himself off with a mutter, “Must be some kind of dream I’m in… I think.”

\tThe echoing voice of a male called from behind Blaise, “To a degree, yes, yet at the same time, it is not, fledgling…”

\tBlaise quickly turned around, quickly grabbing for his swallowblade, but it wasn’t there, “…Who are you and why have you brought me here?!”

\tBefore Blaise stood what appeared to be a male, golden-colored Phedarian, yet completely naked and with translucent features all throughout his well-built frame.  He crossed his arms behind his back, making no effort to cover himself… much to Blaise’s dismay, who quickly averted his eyes with a hand over his face and a turn of his head, “I did not bring you here, Blaise… You came here on your own accord.”

\tBlaise continued to look away, “Oh, come on.  Don’t you have ANY sort of decency?!  Last I recall, I don’t remember wanting to come to some creepy nudist colony in another plane of existence!”

\tThe Phedarian chuckled, shaking his head, “You truly don’t have any understanding of what powers govern this world… Nay… of what powers govern all of existence.”  He took a step forward, “When one’s soul is removed from a body, they simply come here the way they were at the time of its removal.”

\tBlaise looked right at the Phedarian, keeping his eyes on their eyes, as he wasn’t a fan of staring at another man’s junk, “So, what?  Someone stole your soul while you were having sex or som—“ He suddenly found himself wincing and holding his head as he got smacked on the top of the head, “—OW!  Ok, ok… Shit… Take a joke, man…”

\t“I can take a joke, fledgling… just not when they’re utterly humorless.”

\tBlaise narrowed his eyes, “Stop calling me ‘fledgling!’ My name is Blaise!”

\t“Oh yes… Blaise,” chided the golden avian.  “That’s what your mother, Destany, called you…  You truly live up to the pun your name gives off.  Quite the raging inferno…”

\t“Are you going to tell me just where the hell I am?!”

\tThe avian grinned, “Don’t I get a simple ‘please?’”

\tBlaise glared at him, then muttered, “…Please?”

\t“I never thought you’d ask!  You are now in a dimension that transcends all dimensions…  A place known as the Dimensional Divide.”

\t“…I think you lost me there.”

\t“Let’s just say it’s a limbo where lost souls reside, and a conduit in which planes of existence are linked and separated.”

\t“Oh…  I guess that helps things… Slightly…” noted Blaise.  “So how did I get here?”

\t“Well, considering your aetherea seems so solid, you definitely haven’t had your soul removed.  That only can mean one thing.  You’re in a meditative state, if somewhat subconsciously, and only a select few can do such a thing and enter the Dimensional Divide in that way,” explained the golden Phedarian.

\t“And they are?”

\tThe avian smiled, “Those of the Sol’ryas clan.  I would come to the Divide regularly in meditation to clear my mind of worries… That is until someone decided to remove my soul from my body.  In fact, your mother comes here rather often to contemplate on what bothers her now and then.”

\t“So what you’re saying is that you would be a relative of me somewhere along the line?  And wait… How does someone lose their soul?” inquired Blaise.

\t“As for us being relatives… Let’s just say we are, albeit extremely distant.  And on the losing-a-soul bit, well…  I’ll just say that I got unlucky.”

\t“That’s an understatement… So what do I call you?”

\t“What do you call me?”  The question caught the Phedarian off guard, and he pondered it for a moment, eventually answering, “Just call me… Animus.”

\t“Ok then, Animus.  So how do I get back to the world of the living?” asked Blaise as he crossed his arms, eyeing the ghostly bird.

\t“You simply will it, Blaise.  As easy as that…”

\t“That’s all then, huh?  Then, peace out, Animus.  I’m outta—“

\t“Wait…”

\tBlaise frowned, “…What now?”

\t“You can’t control your aetherea well, can you?”

\tAnimus’s words made Blaise roll his eyes, “What about it?”

\tThe spirit came closer, a surprisingly solid handtalon resting on Blaise’s shoulder, “I want to help you with that, if you’re willing, Blaise…”

\t“And just how do you propose doing that?

\t“Well… I need to go inside of you.”

\tBlaise looked down between the naked, and thankfully unerect, Phedarian’s legs, then back up to his face, the Captain’s face falling into an utter expression of disgust and shock, hands going up in protest, “…Absolutely not!  If you think you’re going to stick y—“

\tAnimus sighed, shaking his head and gave another good, hard smack on the top of Blaise’s head, “Ok, ok, ok…  First of all, I don’t fly that way.  Secondly, I’m not so keen on the idea of incest, even if we’re extremely so far apart in the bloodline.  Tsk…  Really, you need to get your mind out of the gutter.  When I say I need to go inside of you, I mean for me to become part of your own aetherea.  I AM comprised of nothing but aethereal energy after all… so I assure you that it’s quite harmless.”  He raised his arm with an open palm facing Blaise, “Grab my hand with yours…”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, “Well… if that’s it…”  He took a deep breath and locked fingers with Animus, palm pressed against palm, “So, now wha—AAAH?!”  Blaise’s eyes went wide as the Phedarian’s body glimmered with radiance, his form starting to distort and… strangely deflate and seem like it was getting sucked through Blaise’s palm like a vacuum.  When the last bit of Animus’s essence entered Blaise’s body, he was hit with a small recoil that made him stagger a little off balance, “ACK!  The hell… Ok… I’m officially creeped out now.”  It was then that a small tingle was felt on the back of his right hand.  The sensation made him look down at it, noticing that a marking was glowing through the fabric of his fingerless glove with red light… a runic design that took the form of an eight-pronged sun with six wings unfurled around it, slowly fading out after a few seconds, “What’s this?  I didn’t ask for a tattoo…”

\tFrom inside Blaise, Animus could be heard speaking, <There you go making assumptions again.  That’s no tattoo.  What you just saw is the family crest of the Sol’ryas family, the bloodline that I belonged to… and you belong to.  It signifies the power and your identity as one of us.  Now go, you have work to do.>

\tBefore Blaise could answer, he was enveloped in a white flash…

\tIt was already night time.  Blaise’s eyes slowly opened, looking right up at Kalira, who was gently wiping his forehead with a cool, wet cloth, “Ugh…”

\tThe feline purred, smiling in a bit of relief, “Welcome back, Blaise.  Have a good nap?”

\tHe looked around, seeing Maximar and Pharstis busy finishing up the makeshift camp that the group made from the remnants of the small battlefield he made, then looked back up to Kalira, “…Yeah.  I think so.” The Captain curiously looked down at the back of his right hand, rubbing at it, then shook his head, “Had a pretty surreal dream…”

\tKalira tilted her head, “A dream, huh?”

\tBlaise shrugged, “Wasn’t anything special…”

\tKalira purred a bit more, patting him on the shoulder, “If you say so.  Just be more careful next time, ok?  I’m going to help the others finish up.”

\t“Yeah… ok…”

\tGiving him a smile, Kalira got back up and wandered over to Maximar and Pharstis.  Blaise watched her move away, catching every sway and swish of her tail and rump as she wandered off.

\t<Hmheheheheheh…  So who’s that sexy kitten, huh, Blaise?>

\tBlaise went tense and rolled to his side, covering his head with wide eyes, whispering, “Wha?  A… Animus?  How did you—“

\tAnimus chuckled, <All part of the bond you formed with me.  Whatever you see, I see as well.>

\tBlaise muttered, “I’m not meant to be a peephole for you, you pervert!”

\tBlaise’s tone was just a little too high, causing Kalira to blink and look over at him, “Blaise?  Did you need something?”

\tBlaise sat up, shaking his head rapidly, face as red as a beet, “N… no, Kali.  I’m fine.”

\tKalira blinked, then turned around with a shrug, murmuring, “Probably still a little delirious from so much exertion with that uncontrolled aetherea of his.”

\tAnimus was laughing with glee at the situation in Blaise’s mind, <Don’t you know that if you talk to me verbally with people around, you’re just going to get people thinking you’re cracked?  You know you can just talk to me through telepathy…  It’s simple.  Just use your head.  Really isn’t that hard for MOST people…>

\tBlaise sighed and closed his eyes, feigning himself to look asleep, giving his “passenger’s” idea a try, <…This… wasn’t part of… the deal…>

\tAnimus chuckled, <Sure, it was…  You just didn’t read, or should I say, ask for the fine print.  You see…  I’ve been closed off from the mortal coil for way too long, and being stuck in the Dimensional Divide, I was unable to know what was going on, being dead and all physically.  While I help you control your aetherea, you’re going to help me find out things that I want to know.>

\t<…Like what?>

\t<Like what happened to this world.  It seems… extremely different from how I last remember it.>

\tBlaise took a deep breath in his fake slumber, <Well, yeah… The year’s 2999 A.D.  I don’t know when you lived, but the way people make technological advances…  Yeah… I’m sure the world WOULD be different for you.>

\tAnimus sighed, <That’s not what I meant, you thick-headed goon.  I can’t put my finger on what’s out of place, so I’m going to need more time with your help.>

\t<Whatever you say…  Just don’t annoy me with mindless prattle.>

\t<Trust me, Blaise.  The last thing I want to do is be useless for you…>

\tMeanwhile, deep in Syl’phedar Forest, the bulky, black wolf that was watching the Ancient Reliquary padded along, keeping low in the shadows of the trees and bushes.  Sniffing the air and looking around, the lupine’s form suddenly glowed a bright green and ballooned in size and mutated rapidly in shape… The four-legged beast standing on two… and growing wings.  The canid features of the wolf’s body changed into avian ones.  Within seconds, the wolf was no more, and in its place was a somewhat portly black avian with a golden beak with glasses sitting on the nares, his body dressed in white pants and an open-front, sleeved jacket of similar color.

\tThe avian huffed, shaking his head, “I need to grab a hold of my sister…  Let her know that I need help.”  He peered around, spotting a small sparrow.  Whistling up to it, the tiny bird fluttered down to an offered finger to perch on, and he stroked its head with the tip of a finger from his other handtalon, “Little one, I need you to find Pharstis and tell her that I’m injured and I have no way of getting back to her… Please, can you do that for me?”

\tThe little sparrow’s eyes glowed when it was touched on the head.  The creature chirped and bobbed its head, hopping off the plump avian humanoid’s finger, speeding through the air on its mission.

\t“Damn…  I’m going to need a vacation after this.”

\tThe man’s hopes were rubbed out when he heard the sound of rushing footfalls heading in his direction, followed by a few voices…

\t“I heard something over this way!  Follow me!”

\tA reply of a few more voices… Four… Perhaps five bellowed “Sir, yes sir!”

\tWith a shake of his head, the avian skipped forward and flashed with green light once more, reverting back into the large black wolf form he originally had, rushing off into the shadows, <I just hope I can hold all these guys off…>

Chapter 22: A Little Bird Told Me…

\tIt wasn’t long before five armored troopers from the Sundevourer Lance came running into the clearing, lead by a tall, white-tailed Lupani, bearing the marks of Sergeant.  The lanky lupine pointed out, looking at a smaller Vulpani… the one who conversed with Colonel Karazor earlier, “You… Private Deixerla, you take point.  You got me?”

\tThe young fox, Zalesar, blinked from behind his visor, “M… Me…?”

\tWith a growl, the sergeant flipped his visor up and bared his fangs at Zalesar, smacking him hard against the head with a backhand, causing the youth to yelp and topple over onto his side, “Don’t question me, pup!  You will follow orders or I’ll skin you alive, you got me?!”

\tThe fox kit whimpered, slowly getting up, “S… sir… Yes, sir…”

\tShadorn was melding into the shadows of the woods in his wolf form, shaking his head, <…They’re even using kids in this operation?  I really hope that the Union hasn’t sanctioned them being here, especially if they’re stooping this low.>

\tThe Sundevourer sergeant gave Zalesar a swift boot in the ass, causing the kit to yelp loudly, “Get a move on!  We don’t have all day!”

\tOne of the troopers in the group glanced to another, “How do you think that little pup got into Fenrir Squadron in the first place?  He’s so worthless…”

\tThe other chuckled and shook his head, replying, “Who knows?  I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran away one day.  He’s definitely not one of us, considering how cowardly he is.”

\tZalesar shivered as he moved forward, handpaw moving down to his belt and drawing his weapon of choice: a V-shaped, bladed boomerang.

\tThe third trooper grinned behind his helmet’s visor, “I bet you all 1000 Gald that the little brat runs away if something happens…”

\tEven the sergeant chuckled, “I double your wager and say he’ll get killed…”

\tShadorn was no more than 15 feet away from Zalesar, slowly rumbling off a deep, threatening growl.  He didn’t want to harm the teenage soldier, only get him out of the way.  Whether or not this decision was wise, it was a gamble he had to take, seeing the less than kosher treatment his much older “comrades” gave him.  He thought to himself, <…I’m probably going to regret this…>

\tThe low, rumbling sound made Zalesar tense and rapidly look around.  Before he could do anything, Shadorn barked and pounced hard into Zalesar’s side, having the pair roll into a tumble into more bushes, causing the young Vulpani to scream in terror… which easily alerted the sergeant and the other three older troopers.

\tShadorn quickly rolled off of the terrified Zalesar and barked, “If you want to live, run!  I don’t kill children!”

\tZalesar was befuddled hearing the large, bulky wolf speak, but he definitely took those words to heart after a moment of thought, quickly getting up and running like hell… away from the violence that was about to explode between his “friends” and the large creature.  He didn’t know why this enemy of his was helping him.  He only had one thing in mind… Only one thing… Survival.

\tThe only thing that Zalesar could hear in his fearful mind as he fled for his life was the cacophony of four soldiers fighting with the large, black wolf…  And it didn’t sound pretty for either side.

\t

\tThe camp of Gryphon Squadron and its comrades was very peaceful during the night, yet one of the group… Pharstis, in particular, couldn’t sleep, sitting out on the edge of the site and staring off towards the direction of Syl’phedar Forest.  She was suddenly startled when the sound of approaching footsteps were heard, causing her to turn and look up to see Blaise standing there, her beak taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, “…Cousin?  You can’t sleep either?”

\tBlaise chuckled, “I wouldn’t be up talking to you if I couldn’t.”  He sat himself down beside her, “What’s on your mind?”

\t“I…  just really have a bad feeling that I’m getting…”

\t“About your older brother?”

\tPharstis only nodded quietly, looking back out towards the shadow of the forest ahead a few miles away.

\tBlaise slowly put a hand on her shoulder and smiled to her, “There’s one thing about Gryphon Squadron, cousin…  We have a motto: ‘Wings of hope, soaring eternally.’  Now… I’m not exactly the best person to look into the meanings of things, but…  Considering the work the unit has done since its conception, I think it means that we never give up, no matter how grim or impossible a situation is.  Gryphon Squadron’s always been put on the most dangerous, possibly suicidal missions, but they’ve always managed to avoid the loss of anyone.  Why?  Well… we stick together.”

\tPharstis blinked, looking back up to him, “You know, Blaise… You really are a mystery.  Half the time, you’re an incorrigible, coarse, and uncontrollable excuse of a person.  Then all the other times, you’re so laid back, easy to get along with.”

\tBlaise chuckled, shaking his head, “I guess it’s just one of my redeeming qualities, huh?”

\tJust then, a small sparrow fluttered nearby Blaise and Pharstis, chirping madly at the pair.  Pharstis blinked at the tiny avian, “Odd…  Sparrows should be asleep at this hour.”

\tBlaise narrowed his eyes and huffed, waving a hand at the energetic bird, “C’mon, you little ball of feathers.  Go away and get to sleep.  You’re going to wake up Kali and Max…”

\tThe sparrow dodged the half-hearted waves of Blaise’s hand with great agility though, and continued its chattering before finally perching on Pharstis’s shoulder and bringing its beak to her eartuft, <Pharstis…  If you get this, then it might be too late for me.  The Ver’dahnti detachment I took has been completely wiped out the Galactic Union’s Fenrir Squadron, and I’m the only one left, with some pretty bad injuries.  So far, I’ve been able to avoid any soldiers hunting me down, but I know in all due time, I’m going to get caught…  and Solravis knows what they’ll do to me when that happens.  I want you to know that… if anything happens to me…  that I love you, little sister.  If only the Union got its help here sooner…  Pharrie…  Forgive me.>

\tAt the end of the message, the sparrow chirped in disorientation, then rapidly fluttered off out of sight.  It wasn’t long after that Pharstis’s eyes started to well up with tears, “Shadorn…  No…  I don’t want to lose you too!”

\tBlaise raised an eyebrow, staring at her in confusion, “Cousin?  What is it?”

\tThe sorceress took off her glasses and wiped at her misty eyes, “That sparrow…  Shadorn channeled his aetherea into it to get a message off to me…  He said everyone is dead and he’s got heavy wounds.  He… He’s got the feeling that he’s not going to make it because he’s still being hunted as we speak.”

\tBlaise’s eyes narrowed, gritting his teeth, “…Karazor.  I swear that when we find you, I’m going to make sure that no one can recognize you… I SWEAR on it.”  He then looked to Pharstis, “I’m going…”

\t“G… Going?”

\tBlaise nodded as he started to make his way to one of the Peregrines, hopping onto it, “You said that I can feel aethereal links with family, right?”

\t“Y… Yes, but… Blaise, let me go with you…  This is my brother we’re talking about…”

\tBlaise revved his bike’s throttle, causing Kalira and Maximar to jolt awake, shaking his head, “No, Pharstis…  The last thing I need is you getting hurt because you’re too emotional to concentrate.  I promise…  I’ll save your brother…”  With that, he

sped off as fast as the Peregrine could accelerate, flying into a wheelie on the hover bike towards the northeast.

\tKalira and Maximar came running over, the pair’s eyes wide in shock.  Kalira growled, shaking her head watching the dust cloud forming from the velocity of Blaise’s vehicle, “BLAISE!  Where the fuck are you going?!”

\tMaximar looked to Pharstis, “Pharstis?  What happened?  Why is Blaise running off like this without us?”

\tPharstis shook her head, “Shadorn’s on the verge of dying…  He sent a message through a sparrow and said he’s wounded and getting hunted down by Fenrir Squadron.  Blaise is going to find him by himself, and…”

\tKalira growled a bit more, “Like hell he will…”  She looked to the others as she started to make his way for the remaining Peregrine, “It’s going to be tight, but the three of us are going to have to fit on this thing.  What’s worse is that all the extra weight is going to slow us down.”  Maximar and Pharstis quickly hopped onto the bike, holding onto Kalira like a miniature conga line.  With a rev of the throttle, Kalira put here Peregrine to the best speed it could muster with the extra passenger, sighing, <Damnit, Blaise…  I swear if you get yourself killed…>

Chapter 23: A Second Chance

\tAbout thirty minutes later, the battle in the forest was over… and the only one left standing… well… slumped against a tree and bleeding, was Shadorn.  The Ver’dahnti’s eyes were closed, beak opening as he coughed up a good bit of blood and spit it out to his side, “…I guess… this is it.  Even winning this fight, it still seems I’m going to die regardless.  Aheh…”  His audible thoughts were interrupted though, when the sound of a speeding bike was heard, causing his eartufts to flatten down, “Yeah… Sounds like more of them on their way.”

\tHe couldn’t have been any more wrong, as it was Blaise who sped his Peregrine into view, skidding to a halt and hopping off of it.  The Captain’s eyes went wide when he saw the portly druid in his condition, “Oh no…  Hey, you!  Are you Shadorn?!”  Blaise took a step forward and stooped down in front of him, unaware that the fallen sergeant of the Fenrir Squadron troopers was striving to get back up, one handpaw gripped around his pistol.

It was then that Animus bellowed in Blaise’s mind, <BLAISE!  Behind you!!>

\tThe sergeant growled and coughed, “I…  don’t care who is it, but I’m gonna kill him…  Even if it’s the last thing I do alive…”  He started to take aim between Blaise’s legs at Shadorn’s chest.

\t<Channel your aetherea into your blade!>

\t“Like this?!”  Blaise spun around and took a wide slash with a quick draw of his swallowblade, concentrating as hard as he could into his weapon. The blade suddenly flared with green light, slashing across the back of the sergeant’s neck, decapitating him with no effort at all.  The blood spurting out of the Lupani’s neck suddenly start to gravitate into globs around the weapon and rotate around it.  The blood then mysteriously transformed into pure, green aethereal energy flowing around in helix-formation waves.  Blaise started at it in awe, “…The hell?”

\tAnimus continued, <Good…  Now hold the blade over his head and will the energy into him.>

\tBlaise blinked again, but nodded, holding the flat of the glowing swallowblade over Shadorn’s head, “Ok…  Here goes…”  He tried to imagine himself, <…I want Shadorn’s wounds to fade and heal themselves…>  Upon that thought, the green energy flowed  away from the blade and completely over the Phecipiterran druid.  Shadorn let out a moan of discomfort, back arching.  After a few moments, the glow… and the wounds were completely gone from Shadorn’s body!  Blaise could only stare in disbelief, “What… what did I do?  Did I really do that?”

\t<You did, Blaise.  A bit sloppy, but you did it quite well.  And stop talking to me out loud!  You’re going to be looked at like you’re crazy!>

\tShadorn groaned a bit, all the pain and wounds gone, but his soreness still quite present, “…Who are…?   No… How did you heal me like that…?”

\tBlaise tried to look completely confident, smiling faintly, “Just some routine use of aetherea, that’s all…  Are you ok?”

\tShadorn looked up at Blaise, seeing his insignias that showed him as a member of the Galactic Union, then closed his eyes, “No…  I’m not ok, thank you very much…  I’ve lost a lot of good men and women.  So, no…  I’m definitely not ok, and I would’ve been feeling better if YOU got here sooner.”  The Ver’dahnti commander’s eyes opened at Blaise with a rather ungrateful glare.

\tThe look Blaise got made the Captain give one of his own to Shadorn in kind, “So this is how you thank someone who willingly comes out to save you?  It’s not my fault that we got held up not once, but twice on the way here!”

\tShadorn got up and went beak to nose with Blaise, grabbing him by the collar, “You’re just making excuses, kid!”

\tBlaise’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he was grabbed, “You better get off of me, you ungrateful, fat shit, before I reopen all your wounds myself.”

\tShadorn’s grip on Blaise’s collar got tighter, lifting him up with a rumbling screech, “I’d like to see you try…”

\tBlaise needed some way to get out of this…  One that wouldn’t end up injuring Shadorn again, even if the druidic warrior was pissing him off.  The first thing he thought of?  Grabbing the forearm of Shadorn and squeezing tight, hoping that he could trigger an aethereal link with him.

\tShadorn reeled his arm back to give Blaise a hard punch, face distorted in anger when he froze.  The link had taken place between the pair, and within seconds, Shadorn dropped Blaise and stepped back, looking both shocked and fearful, “What…?  You…  You made a link with me…?”

\tBlaise landed on his feet and muttered, rubbing his neck a bit, “Well, yeah…  Your little sister, Pharstis, told me how to do it, saying how Phecipiterrans and Phedarians can do it to find out who’s closely related to them and such.  It worked between me and her, so I guess that would mean that you’re my cousin too, huh?”

\tShadorn stared at him in disbelief, “Human… cousin…?  Wait.  Then that would mean you’re Aunt Destany’s son, Blaise.”

\tBlaise nodded slowly at that, “That’s right…  but look.  I’m sorry that you’ve had all your men killed because we didn’t get to you sooner.  I hold myself responsible for it, even if the hold-up was caused twice by Fenrir Squadron.”

\t“Blaise…  You don’t have to place the blame on yourself.  I didn’t know—“

\tThe Captain shook his head, “No…  I do feel partly responsible for it.  You have complete rights to hate me for it.”

\tShadorn seemed a bit taken aback at Blaise’s guilt trip, and he didn’t know what to say.  Part of him is pained that he lost so many good friends in the fighting with Fenrir Squadron, but the other part didn’t want to see Blaise like this.  The plump avian took a deep breath, then suddenly punched Blaise hard in the stomach with narrowed eyes, causing him to crumple to his knees.

\tBlaise clutched his stomach and gasped for air, “F… Fuck…  What was that for…?”

\tShadorn smirked faintly at Blaise, “Consider it your penance, Blaise.  Besides, I don’t go harming my family with no reason.”

\tBlaise glared at Shadorn, wheezing, “You… don’t call a hit like that ‘harming’ someone?!  Shit… I feel like a horse kicked me.”

\tShadorn chuckled faintly and shook his head, “Now I’m even with you…  Mostly.  More importantly, we need to deal with this rogue unit of yours, to avenge my subordinates…”

\tBlaise slowly got back up, huffing, “Take a number.  I’ve got some bad blood with their leader too, so I want first piece of him.”

\t“Oh-ho…  So you think this is some game, huh?”

\tBlaise shook his head, “Oh no…  This is no game.  This is war. Colonel Karazor crossed the line in too many ways, and I’m going to make him pay his dues.”

\tShadorn tilted his head, “Do tell…  I’m curious to hear just what this man has done.”

\tAfter a few minutes, Blaise finished a nice, long detailed story about why he hates Colonel Karazor so much…  about his hostile advance on Kalira back at the Academy.  Shadorn shook his head, rumbling in anger, “You very much hold reason to end this man’s life.  Trying to rape someone…  It’s unforgivable.  This Kalira is close to you, right?  Girlfriend?”

\tBlaise suddenly blushed at the question, “Wh… wha?  N… No…  Um…  Not exactly.  She’s actually the other member of the two man team I’m a part of.”

\tShadorn smirked again, “…You’re blushing.  You’re not admitting what you want to say.”

\tBlaise glared at the Ver’dahnti, “What makes you think that?!”

\tShadorn was ready to reply, when the sound of an approaching bike was heard.  His head quickly turned to look for it, “Quick…  Hide!”  They couldn’t even act to hide fast enough.  Thankfully, it was the Peregrine carrying Kalira, Maximar, and Pharstis.  

Seeing the pair, Kalira quickly skidded the hover bike to a halt and hopped off of it, storming right over to Blaise and giving him a hard slap across the face with her right handpaw, “Damnit, Blaise!  Just how stupid are you?!”  

The action gave Shadorn quite a bouncy show from Kalira’s chest, and immediately, he thought with a deep blush, <I can see why she was targeted by this Colonel Karazor.  She’s stacked…>  His thoughts were shattered when he suddenly found Pharstis tackling him with a hug into the side, making him shift a bit off balance, “AWK!  Ph… Pharrie?  What’re you doing here?”

Shadorn found himself getting similar treatment like Blaise, a hard slap hitting him in the face from his little sister, the sorceress sobbing lightly, “You idiot…  Don’t go scaring me like that with your goodbye message! And… And stop calling me ‘Pharrie’.”

Maximar stepped forward to Shadorn and nodded with a smile, “Shadorn, I’m glad to see you’re ok.  You had us all worried.”

Shadorn sighed, patting Pharstis on her back, between her wings, then looked to Maximar, “It is now…  Thanks to Blaise here.”  He gave a glance over to the Captain, who was rubbing his cheek from Kalira’s slap.

Kalira stared at Shadorn, then looked to Blaise, “Had to save him from danger in the nick of time, huh, ‘hero’?”

Blaise shook his head, “Not exactly.  Shadorn had already killed his pursuers…”

Shadorn shook his head, “No… I let one go before the fight broke out.  Fenrir Squadron was mistreating this young kid that they sent out with the hunt group after me, so I… persuaded him to get out and run for his life.”

The group stared at Shadorn, and Blaise spoke up, “…You let one go, all because he was a kid?  I don’t know if that’s the best move, Shad…  It could come back and bite us in the end.”

Again, Shadorn shook his head, “I could hear it in him.  The kid was afraid, and they were forcing him to do the most dangerous things and physically abusing him when he clearly showed that he didn’t want to be here, like he didn’t fit in with the rest of them.”

Blaise huffed and shrugged, “Whatever…”

Shadorn looked to Blaise, then shrugged.  Looking back to Kalira, “Speaking about Blaise saving me, he did happen to heal all my wounds with an aethereal spell…  One that I’ve never seen before.  The potency was amazing.”

It was Blaise’s turn to get stared at by Kalira, Maximar, and Pharstis.  He instantly felt like a deer in headlights, “Um… aheh…  I guess my practice is finally starting to pay off?”

Maximar crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow, “What practice?  I’ve never seen you ever try to practice using aetherea.”

Kalira put her hands on her hips, eyeing Blaise skeptically, “Max is right, plus we all know you can’t control your aetherea aside from a slight degree.”

Shadorn shook his head, “I’m speaking the truth…  Blaise used very powerful aetherea to save me from the brink of death.”

Pharstis looked up at Shadorn for a moment, then to the others, “My brother isn’t one to lie.  Besides, it is true that some people just take more time to get a grasp on their aetherea than others.”

Maximar hmmmed, tapping his beak, “…You do have a point about the aetherea bit.”

Kalira sighed, “What matters most though is that no one’s hurt, right?”  She gave another glare to Blaise, “Especially you, Blaise…  I swear…  Jumping into things is going to get you killed one of these days.”

Blaise chuckled uneasily, “Yeah, yeah…  Not like this has been the first reckless thing I’ve done in my life.”

Shadorn rolled his shoulders and let his arms go of Pharstis, “Now that we’ve had a little chat, I suggest that we go and take the fight back to our foes.  What do you all think?”

The group nodded in agreement.  Blaise cracked his knuckles and grinned, “Sounds like a plan, Shadorn.  How about you lead the way to the Reliquary?”

Shadorn nodded, his body flashing green and transforming into his four-legged, lupine form, looking up to the others with a big wolfish, fangy grin before he started to run off to lead them along.  Pharstis and Maximar knew of the ability, so they were rather unconcerned with the change.  Kalira and Blaise, on the other hand, just started in awe.

The Felidari murmured, “…Well that’s something you don’t see every day.”

Blaise blinked, shaking his head, “…No kidding.  I just hope I don’t mistake him as some humanoid-craving, mutant wolf in the heat of battle.”

Kalira rolled her eyes, then gave a light smack on the back of Blaise’s head, “Yes… That would be rather bad.”

Blaise frowned, rubbing the back of his head, “You know…  Getting slapped so many times in one day is not how I want to spend it…”

Maximar and Pharstis looked back to Blaise and Kalira with a bit of a humorous laugh together.  With that, the newly expanded group was off to bring the war to Colonel Karazor and Fenrir Squadron.

Chapter 24: The Battle At The Reliquary Begins

\tAfter about a half hour of rather uneventful travel through the trees of Syl’phedar Forest, the face of the Ancient Reliquary stood before Blaise and the others a small distance away from the clearing they exited.  On top of the lofty staircase leading up to the foyer, their quarry was seen… Colonel Karazor standing there with his arms crossed over his chest.  In turn, he saw the invaders coming into his unit’s position.  Narrowing his eyes, Blaise drew his swallowblade and started to step forward, pointing the weapon towards him in the air, “KARAZOR!!  We’ve come to make you pay!!”  Kalira, Maximar, Pharstis, and Shadorn were quick to draw their weapons as well, their faces full of determination.  This was it…  This was going to be the final battle.  With Colonel Karazor out of the picture, all this trouble was bound to end.

\tA large, fang-bearing grin swelled on the Colonel’s muzzle, his bionic eye glowing a bright red.  The silver Vulpani took a step forward and chuckled, “Well…  Isn’t this a pleasant surpise?  Is that really you, little O’Driscoll?”  His gaze wandered to eye Kalira, the grin growing even more before he licked his chops a bit, “And I see you’ve brought me a gift.  I’ll have to say that you really filled out in all the good places, my dear Kalira…  Haven’t been milking yourself enough, have you?  Your back must be screaming for mercy.”

\tKalira’s rifle raised swiftly and aimed for right between Karazor’s legs, firing a shot right there. Unfortunately, the well-aimed shot just barely missed with a turning sidestep.  The Felidari hissed fiercely, “You’re lucky that shot missed, you vermin…”

\tColonel Karazor kept grinning at Kalira, “You’re a lot feistier than before too…  Just the way I like it.”

\tPharstis pushed her glasses up onto the bridge of her beak, eyes narrowing coldly at their target, “Why are you doing this, Colonel? Why cause this madness?”

\tKarazor looked to Pharstis, chuckling, “How else would I conduct a field test?”

\tBlaise gripped the handle of his swallowblade tightly, “-What- field test?”

\t“Tsk… this is what happens when you fall asleep in history class, O’Driscoll,” replied the Vulpani colonel. “Tell me that you’ve heard about Project Geoseed.”

\tBlaise blinked, “…Geoseed?”

\tKalira blinked a bit as well, lowering her rifle, “Project Geoseed… The nanotech physical enhancement system being devised by the late Dr. Matiyus Ralosar, shut down after a lab explosion.” She shook her head, “They said all traces of the project were either lost in obscurity or destroyed in the accident.”

\t“Heheheheheh… Lost in obscurity, yes.  Destroyed?  No…”

\tMaximar pointed his katana up at Karazor, “So then the wolves inside Taelyn Pass that were mutated were the doing of this Geoseed?”

\tBlaise shook his head, “Then Major Grathtan was in it with you.  When he said that even nature itself would turn against everyone, this is what meant.”

\tKarazor laughed, “Who?  Oh… yeah, that old buzzard who ‘started a rebellion’…  He was too loyal to that brat, Skylia, so he needed a little… suggestion, if you will.  That’s another wondrous aspect of Project Geoseed: the ability to control minds, due to the hive mind of the nanobots being linked with the primary seed, as Ralosar labeled it.  One little covert operation, and…”  He clapped his handpaws together, widening his eye, “BANG!  I had a little birdie on my finger, all for me to give orders to… completely without question.”

\tShadorn screeched, spinning his scythe and stabbing the shaft of it into the ground, pointing a finger at the silver Vulpani,“What is it that you want?!  Why are you doing all of this?!”

\t“Chaos…  Plain and simple.  I’m just sowing the seeds of chaos with my new little toy, Geoseed. The Galactic Union was too afraid to pick up the project after the accident, after protestors were saying that they were playing God.”  He pointed to himself with a thumb, “They’re just missing out on a golden opportunity, so I happened to find where the remnants of the project were, and I’m taking it on myself to play a little God myself.  I plan to cause so much dissent in the Union leadership that they’re ousted and the call for a new leader is made.  I’ll step up then, and stop the attacks. Just… like… that…  I’m a hero, and then, the Union is mine.”

\tIf there was one time Blaise wished his communicator wasn’t destroyed in the battle in the Strigidian Mountains, this was that time.  Karazor gave away all the evidence right here and now, and there was no way to record it.  Blaise shook his head and muttered under his breath, knowing that hearsay would not be seen as solid evidence against the colonel.  This had to be ended now.  Blaise made a slitting motion with his thumb across his throat then gave a thumbs-down directed to Karazor, “I’d rather just label you as ‘You Piece of Rabid Shit’, but…  Colonel Verenz Karazor, I hereby sentence you to death, on the charges of murder, conspiracy, and threatening the peace of civilians…  How do you plead, fuckhead?”

\t“Guilty as charged.  Too bad you’ll never live to even tell anyone!” Before Blaise and the others could react, Colonel Karazor threw out a smoke bomb that burst at the feet of the party, “Just like that bomb, your attempt to stop me is going to go up in smoke!  Sundevourer Lance!  KILL THEM ALL!!”

\tBy the time the smoke cleared, Karazor was gone, and from the entrance of the Ancient Reliquary, a force twenty-strong, accompanied by two mutated wolves, came rushing out to meet the five companions.  Blaise shook his head as he and the others braced for combat, “Take them all out.  They all die, whether they surrender or not…”  The red-haired Captain’s eyes glowed with a golden flame, his rage beginning to grow.

\tOff a few miles in the forest, Destany was perched up in a tree, looking down at the remnants of the bloody battle Shadorn had with the small group that was hunting him hours earlier, a frown pursed on her beak’s lips, “More of Karazor’s men…  What is he up to?”

\tThe mote of light that accompanied the Solra’vir earlier formed by her shoulder and spoke in her serene voice, “I am uncertain, Lady Sol’ryas.  It’s foolish to be acting so hostile within the vicinity of the Ancient Reliquary, yet I do not know why he would choose such a place to commit these atrocities.”  It went silent for a moment, but then continued, “You do realize you’re overstepping your boundaries decreed by Solravis himself, keeping such close vigil on your son like this…”

\tDestany shook her head, “To be denied to be with my only child is worse than any hell that I may be put in after my passing for disobeying my sacred father.”

\t“Isn’t knowing that he is alive and well enough for you, Lady Sol’ryas?”

\tAgain, the Solra’vir shook her head, “Being one of the world’s Fal’keryn, Serathia, you would never understand…”

\tA sigh came from the light ball, “…Perhaps.” Moments later, Serathia’s halo flared in what seemed to be sudden alarm, “What… What is this sensation?  It’s so… so dreadful!”

\tDestany raised an eyebrow and looked behind her, starting to feel the strange, horrific aura approaching, causing a cold chill the run down her spine, “I’ve… never felt anything like it.  You don’t suppose it’s…?”

\tSerathia hissed, “It’s probably the only explanation…  Neg’Aetherea, the element that drains the strength of all Aetherea.”

\t“But… I thought it was only a rumor?”

\t“Shhh!  Quiet…  Someone’s approaching.”

\tBelow the Solra’vir and her Fal’keryn companion, two figures dressed in thick, blooming robes with hoods moved through the woods, stopping by the dead, cold bodies of the Sundevourer troopers. The only things visible from under the robes were the figures’ black feathered wings, at least identifying them as either Accipiterran or Phedarian, but… No… Phedarians rarely left Sancta Solaryon, not to mention black ones were rare.

\tOne of them knelt by a trooper’s corpse, putting its grayed handtalon on its forehead, speaking in a deep, hissing male voice, “Well well well… it would seem someone left us some sustenance, Khorvidia…  I think it would be rude for us to refuse the gifts left for us.” A dim, black glow formed around the talon and within moments, the body of the trooper shriveled and deflated to a near-skeletal form.

\t“…Yes, Rahvyahn,” spoke the other figure… a female voice, sullen and dark.  She, too, lowered herself over a corpse and drained out its shape with her touch.

\t

Destany’s eyes widened at the sight, whispering, “…What… Did those people just siphon out the Aetherea from those soldiers’ bodies?”

\tSerathia spoke in the Solra’vir’s mind, <Yes… I’m afraid there are worse issues than your Colonel friend causing trouble here, Lady Sol’ryas.  Only two kinds of things can siphon off Aetherea…  The Gods themselves… and beings that hold a Neg’Aethereal signature instead of a normal, elemental Aethereal signature…  The beings known as the Nazo’kathi.  Lady Sol’ryas, as dangerous as it may be, we must eliminate these two… these Nazo’kathi, before they can do any more damage to the cycle of rebirth!  Evil or not, souls deserve redemption in their next life, and being devoured, that is unable to happen.>

\tRahvyahn chuckled as he went to drain out a second corpse’s Aetherea, only to look over his shoulder to see Destany jumping down with a screech, “STOP THIS AT ONCE!”

\tA cold smirk grew on Rahvyahn’s beak poking out of his hood, “Oh… well if it isn’t Solravis’s prodigal, little bitch?  The mother of the Second Khy’maer herself!”

\tKhorvidia stood up from the corpse she just drained, turning to face Destany, “It’s been a while, Lady Sol’ryas…”

\tDestany blinked, positioning herself into a battle-ready stance, “…Who are you?”

\tThe eyes of the robed pair flared with a vibrant, blood red, and Rahvyahn spoke, “That doesn’t matter, my dear friend…  We’re here on some business, and it’s essential that we’re allowed to conduct it.  No one… Not even a Solra’vir… NO ONE shall prevent us from succeeding!”

\t Khorvidia sighed, “Rahvyahn, it’s not worth it to fight her.  We’re only here for one thing and one thing only… The Second Khy’maer.”

Chapter 25: The Nazo’kathi Attack

\tDestany’s stance switched to a much more aggressive one upon hearing Khorvidia bring up their quarry, “…You’re after my son?!”

\tRahvyahn grinned, “Of course, you stupid bitch.  You remember the First Khy’maer’s prophecy, right?”  He crossed his arms, “”With the birth of the Second Khy’maer, my return shall be nigh… and the world shall cease to exist upon my second coming.” It is our job to make sure the prophecy becomes a reality, and we shall use him to do so!”

\t“It will never happen… You’d have to first go through me before ever laying a hand on him, and I doubt he’d ever help you!” screeched the Solra’vir, whose ire was flaring up greatly.

\tRahvyahn tsked, shaking his head, “Always such a rebel against fate.  All things shall and will come to their ends… but if you’re going to stand up against us, so be it.  Feasting off your Aetherea will be a treat, and sure to give me gratuitous amounts of energy for quite some time. Khorvidia!  Let’s teach this fool a lesson!”

\tWith a swing of their arms, Rahvyahn and Khorvidia threw their robes off, revealing themselves to be dressed in highly scarred and defiled Solra’vir armor.  In a flash of light within their talons, a halberd and staff materialized in Rahvyahn and Khorvidia’s grasps respectively.  The sight of the pair’s armor was horrifying.  Who were these people, and why were they equipped in such things?  It was a question that would have to wait, as they rushed right for Destany.  “SERATHIA!! MATERIALIZE!!”  She had to even the odds at once, and thankfully, calling upon Serathia was the right way of doing that!  

The mote of light exploded into shape, taking form of a 9 foot tall, pure white Phedarian with four wings of iridescent light and a halo over her head.  Serathia formed her own two sabers of radiating light into her talons and screeched in fury as she joined in the combat.

Rahvyahn smirked, “Oh ho… You must be getting up in your years and out of practice, Lady Sol’ryas!  Already summoning your Fal’keryn?”

He took a wide swing at Destany, but she easily dodged it.  She glared at the attacker and gave him a swift kick in the side followed by a backhand, forcing him to stagger back, “Still your tongue.  I am not so easily brushed aside like some weakling just because I’ve grown in age!”

“You’ve left yourself open, Lady Sol’ryas…” murmured Khorvidia raised a spell-armed talon at Destany as she rushed in at her flank, but Serathia was fast to change her target.  Using the light the forest provided, as dim as it was, she used her elemental powers to displace herself instantly in front of the incoming attack and deflect it with a parry of her blades.

Serathia shoved Khorvida back hard with a shoulder block, “Lady Sol’ryas, I shall handle her!  You take on the male!”  Quickly, she bolted off to the sky, and Khorvida seemed happy to follow the Fal’keryn.

Destany huffed, ducking under another swing of Rahvyahn’s halberd, “What… does it look like I’m doing?!”  She spun around on her knee, lashing out with a leg to sweep out her foe’s legs, but he quickly flipped back to avoid the attack.

Rahvyahn snarled, coming forward with a flurry of rapid thrusts with the pike end of his weapon at Destany, “It looks like you’re getting lucky dodging my attacks! Stop it!!” Whether it was luck or skill, he was right.  Destany was making a joke of him, or at least it seemed she was. The most his thrusts were able to do were make small nicks and cuts on various parts of her clothing.

A sly smirk formed on Destany’s beak at Rahvyahn’s complaint, “Stop dodging?  Very well!”  With a bellowing scream, the black feathered male jammed his halberd right through the Solra’vir’s stomach, but her face showed no pain… In fact, it felt like the thrust had no resistance on entering her body!

“What? Are you some kind of masochist, n--?” said Rahvyahn with a raised eyebrow, but he was cut off when his impaled target suddenly flickered and faded out, “…A displacement illu--?!”

Before he could even react, Destany was behind him with the palms of her handtalons glowing with white light, “Either you leave yourself open on purpose, or you’re just really a pathetic, wanna-be threat… HAH!” A double “open-clam” palm fist strike hit Rahvyahn hard in the small of his back, a large explosion of force blooming out from the hit and catapulting him forward like a hominid missile, hard through a pair of trees and splintering them in two from the force of his impact into them!  Destany smiled faintly, seeming quite satisfied with the decisive strike she placed, “My guess is on the lat—“

Unfortunately for her, she was cut off as a force bubble formed around her, trapping her into helplessness.  It appeared that Serathia was focused too much on Khorvidia that she didn’t notice a silent casting of an entrapment spell.  The ebon hen landed and went to help Rahvyahn up, who was rather scuffed up from his flight through the trees.  Khorvidia frowned, shaking her heard, “We’ve wasted too much time with this play.  You’re delaying us too much.”  Serathia was not going to allow harm to come to Destany though, as she quickly swooped down in front of the bubble and in between it and the two attackers.

Rahvyahn screeched in pure rage, staggering and ready to tear Destany apart, “You fucking bitch… I’m going to kill you for that! I’m goin—“

Khorvidia sighed, clamping her companion’s beak shut with her handtalon, “Quiet, you bloodthirsty fool… You’ll get your chance to put an end to her.  The Second Khy’maer is our objective, not her…”

Rahvyahn hissed in anger, “But she got in the way and—“ A sudden rumble was felt quaking the ground, which made both Rahvyahn and Corvidia, and Destany and Serathia stare in the direction of which the pulse came from.

Khorvidia murmured, “…That energy.”  After a moment of contemplation, she looked to her companion, “He is here, Rahvyahn… We must depart and intercept him at once…”

Rahvyahn growled, throwing up his arms in disgust, “Fine!!” He then pointed at Destany, “Just you wait… Next time we meet, you won’t be so lucky!”  Quickly, the pair took swift flight through the woods in the direction of the Ancient Reliquary.

Destany screeched, “NO! We have to follow them!” She was ready to move, but she was unsure of what the bubble would to do her if she touched it.

Serathia frowned, starting to channel a dispel on Destany’s prison, “We shall, but it’s going to take some time getting you out of this…  Now hold still…”  The Fal’keryn pondered why the pair they just fought were wearing what appeared to be Solra’vir gear.  Regardless, the situation was severe, as they were after Blaise, and with Destany trapped, the ball was in their court now.  Serathia had to work fast to free Destany, so they could quickly intercept them.

Chapter 26: Blaise’s Awakening

\tIt took some time, but the entire horde of Sundevourers and Geoseed-altered wolves that Colonel Karazor sent after Blaise and his crew were either dying or dead, and they managed to push into the Reliquary itself.  The group was winded a bit, lightly wounded here and there, but in general, were doing quite ok… and were ready for round two.

\tBlaise ripped his swallowblade out of the back of a heavily mutated Geoseed wolf and panted, “That bastard’s going to die once I get my hands on him!”  He seemed  different, in a rather frightening way now, the aura in his eyes seemed to be gently blooming over his body now, giving a golden aura around him… and it kept the others keeping his distance from him somewhat, especially Pharsti", "pools_count": 0, "title": "Tales of the Divide - Book 1: The Second Khy'maer (Part 1: Ch 1-26)", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "2", "name": "Nudity", "description": "Nonsexual nudity exposing breasts or genitals (must not show arousal)", "rating_id": "1" }, { "content_tag_id": "3", "name": "Violence", "description": "Mild violence", "rating_id": "1" }, { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "48" }