Orson~

I bite my lip. I look once again to my father, to see him cheering for this new "plan". If you could call it that. Insanity, that's what I call it. Cerus raises a hand for silence, and continues in a calmer tone.

"It will take all the military might we can muster, obviously. Tonight is the night of their Solstice festival, and they will be distracted by their fetivities. However, we cannot underestimate our enemies, no matter how helpless they seem. This opportune moment has presented itself, and we must not waste it! Our fleet has already been informed, and the General is preparing the ships as we speak."

"I'm assuming he won't be joining us on our mission, then?" says the tall soldier in a strangely calm tone.

"Tygellus will be leading the main attack sometime between dusk and dawn, Lieutenant Amadeo," The Emperor explains. Amadeo, that's what his name was. I was right to suspect his high rank, too. "Your task, however, is equally important." Cerus's face turns grim.

"My tacticians and I have determined that Spark also has the possibility of being the location of my daughter, Aloise. Even if it isn't, it is paramount to keep searching for her at whatever chance we get. But if this is true, you 15 soldiers are responsible for finding Aloise during this attack, keeping her out of harm's way, and returning her to me without a scratch. Is that absolutely clear?" 

I join in quietly on the communal "Yes, your grace" as the excitement of the other soldiers died down.

"Captain Edmunds and I have already spoken, and he will be giving you further information on your mission, as well as leading you. If anything should happen to him in Spark, Amadeo shall take command."

"Like anything's gonna kill me," chuckles a bulky looking soldier to my far right. Cerus turns to give him a death stare, which shuts him up quick. Not really the introduction for a Captain, that's for sure.

"Edmunds will also be introducing you to some new weaponry that will help you in your mission," Cerus continued. "Be ready and in armor by nine o'clock. You will meet in the West Barracks, and the Captain will cue you to head out when he gets my signal. I'll leave it to him to assist you further in preparations for tonight's assault, you are free to leave. Go with the might of Noventia!" We all respond with a quick movement-our right palms against our chests, our left forearms across the front of our waists, the Noventian salute.

The soldiers start to stream back out into the front hall, and I follow, head hung in dread. The group immedeatly gathers around Edmunds, as he starts shouting commands. My father follows suit, but looks back to find me lagging behind yet again. He opens his mouth to say something, but I grab his arm and pull him back towards me.

"I can't do this," I confess in a whisper. My dad looks at me in disbelief.

"What are you saying?"

"This entire attack. There's no way I can go through with this." My father's look turns to frustration. He looks about yell, but he closes his eyes and sighs through his teeth.

"We need to talk. Not in here," He hisses. He looks over and makes a motion at Edmunds. The Captain looks confused, then seems to understand.

He pushes his way towards us, giving a last "Lieutenant Amadeo will take it from here," joining us as we walk out the main doors. My father doesn't speak to me  for a while after, only mumuring things to Edmunds. Worst possibility, they're going the formally kick me out of the Garrison, although at least then I woun't have to join in the assault.

We make our way across Guardian's Landing, and the commoners once again split to let us through. I keep my head low, now filled with dread instead of nervousness. As we reach the other side, my father leads us to a Fornerail station. Not the one we came here on though, one going to-the East Docks? We board the cart, and I start to get more and more confused. I consider questioning my father, but scratch out that idea, in fear that he might snap at me. 

We arrive at the docks, and my father and Edmunds continue to mutter to each other while occasionally looking back at me. I don't really take the time to look at the docks, and keep my eyes pointed at the wooden boarding. I have other things to worry about right now. I follow the two men, and suddenly jerk my head up when I hear my father opening a hatch. It was the entry way to his private vessel, and Edmunds is busy unfastening the cables that were holding it to the dock. I look up at the sky, and realize that it's getting dark. Whatever this was, did we really have time for it?

I see my father waiting, and I timidly board it and sit down on the lower deck. Edmunds takes a few seconds, and then climbs in after us, closing and locking the hatch. My father whispers something else at the Captain, while he nods and starts towards the controls. As the ship lurches into motion, my father sits down next to me, letting out another sigh.

"Tell me what the problem is, and maybe I can fix it," my father says, holding back his frustration in an attempt to look good in front of his superior.

"This 'plan' is insane. I've already told you that the Garrison is as far as I'll go. Even if I was for it, this assault is suicide. There's a reason we've had a ceasefire against Spark for so long, and  that's because they pose as much of a threat to us as we do to them," I say in a frantic whisper.

"You should know that Cerus has decades of tactical experience on you. You're completely out of line if you want to spit on his plan like this," my father hisses back. I think of what to say, but I'm distracted by the sound of Edmunds voice, talking to an administrator on the wall, I figure.

"Do you hear me? Where's the Orson that's been so obidient for the past 5 years? You have one chance for honor in an actual battle, and you're gonna pass it up?"

"Is it dishonorable to question the Emperor? Don't treat me like a pawn, and don't treat him like he's some kind of god," I snap, speaking before I think. My father stands abruptly, looking down at me with utter disgust. He storms into the contol room, and after a few moments of unintelligible muttering, Edmunds emerges with an almost shocked expression.

He turns to me, motioning for me to follow, as he climbs to the top deck. I climb up after him, and look down to see that we're flying higher and higher above Noventia. Maybe I could've appreciated the view more if I didn't feel so useless right now.

"I understand your father wanted you to have some weapons training before the big night," the Captain explains, setting down and unlatching a large, metal case.

"Oh," I reply flatly. I guess that explains why we're up here. "Aren't there only a couple hours before the battle?"

"Ah, this'll only take a little bit," Edmunds says, flipping the case open. The Captain heaves a large, cannon-like gun out of the case. It's dark, metal barrel is about a foot wide, and a meter long. Even Edmunds, who was almost pure muscle, struggled to lift the thing. "This is what's gonna take Spark for us." The last thing I wanted to do was practice shooting that thing. Edmunds sunddenly averts his eyes towards something outside of the ship.

"Oh, that's rich. They're setting off fireworks, see?" Edmunds points to a tiny blotch in the distance-the Island of Spark. Little bursts of color sprang up from the island, and quickly faded away. Suddenly, our gradual climb upward is stopped, and my father emerges from below deck.

"Captain, I think we should head back. I didn't realize how little time we had," My father admits sheepishly.

"Nonsense, we-," The Captain starts, but his eyes dart to something outside yet again-this time it's obvious. A Griffin is circling our ship. I would be suprised, but considering we were so high up, it wasn't that unheard of. "Hey, that'll make for some good target practice!"

"Captain, that's enough. If you shoot that thing, 10 more will come to hunt you down," my father replies, joining me next to Edmunds. Edmunds shakes his head, and aims his gun at the animal.

"That's just an old myth, we'll be fine." 

"I said that's enough-" My father swiftly moves this barrel of the gun downwards, but clearly that was not what Edmunds was expecting. Edmunds had already pulled the trigger, and at the split second he realized, it was already too late. A flaming projectile rockets down the barrel, straight into the side of the ship. The explosion knocks me straight back into the railing, hard. My ears are ringing, my head swelling with waves of pain. I smell smoke. I hear fire roaring. But-no screaming? I open my eyes, to find that both Edmunds and my father are nowhere in sight, along with a huge chunk of the ship. I pull myself up onto the railing to see if they pulled their parachutes, but a burst of speed sends the ship flying forward, and me flying into the back rail.

I turn to see that both the main thrusters were on full speed-no, much more than that. A malfunction, no doubt. I didn't know if it was a result of the explosion, or just awful timing, put i needed to get off this ship. I turn my head to see that I'm heading straight towards Spark, which was almost the worst thing that could happen. I won't be in range of Spark for a while, it's miles away, I tell myself. I still needed to act fast. I could pull a parachute, and float down to Wildersky, or Jetsam, I think quickly. It wasn't the best plan, but it would work. I stagger towards the hatch to the lower decks, where the parachutes were kept.

My steps slow, and my vision blurs. What is this? The smoke fills my lungs, and my legs grow weak, and I topple to the ground. I go unconcious before I even reach the hatch.  

Corilis~

Crazy night.

Festivals past had usually been punctuated by one or two events that were remembered for years to come. Most notably, there was the year a group of senior tracers had a bit too much to drink and propelled several house-sized chunks of rock off of Mount Arjus and into space. Safe to say, they were immediately expelled the following morning.

But this?

The Reavers were in our city, the Noventians would be here soon, and now a girl had teleported in with a knife in her stomach.

Galligan paced around his office, twirling his cane and looking the slightest bit nervous. I was still shocked from his most recent talk with me, so to say I was having trouble processing this new development was an understatement. I saw fireworks begin to flash across the night sky from outside, and heard distant cheering. For once, it din't make me happy.

"So are you going to tell me why you happened to be stuck with a knife?" 

"I got in trouble with the wrong people. Simple as that," the girl said. 

"Will you at least tell me how you learned to do that?" Galligan asked the girl. Iesha Merl, I think he had called her.

"I'm self-taught."

Galligan gave her a skeptical look.

"Fine. You seem to remember my father, maybe you can use that memory to figure out how I learned magic. Maybe from my magical father perhaps?"

"I certainly do remember, your father, Ms. Merl," Galligan ignored her sarcasm. "He was an... interesting student of mine, to say the least. He came back to visit quite a bit, too. He seemed to have an odd fixation on the fusion of magic and technology. I was sorry to hear what happened to him." Iesha's face reddened. Galligan coughed uncomfortably.

"Right. The point is, your little incantation spell, archaic as it is, was not something you learned from me. One's Windspark is a wild thing, Ms. Merl, and to my knowlege, the only means of taming it are located here in my city. And, if my memory isn't failing me, you were never one of my students." 

"Well, what's so special about Spark anyway, huh?" Iesha snapped, suddenley sounding defensive. "Who's to say I had to be here to learn stuff?"

Galligan pursed his lips, clearly debating something in his mind. "Come with me," he said finally. "What I am about to show you was meant to only concern Mr. Asterlon, but I suppose I can be flexible."

"Wait, what?" I said. "What concerns me?"

Galligan didn't answer me, and began rummaging around in his desk. Iesha turned to look at me. "You're that map guy, aren't you?" 

"Um... yeah," I said awkwardly. "I'm that map guy."

"I thought you'd be taller."

"Ah, here it is." Galligan pulled out a small star-shaped stone from somewhere in the confines of his desk. "You two, please stand in the center of this room." Confusedly, I followed his orders and stepped onto the center of the spiral-patterned carpet lining the floor of the tower. I had been up here a few times, but I had never noticed that there seemed to be a seam surrounding a small piece of the carpet on which we were standing, and a star-shaped imprint in the dead center of the spiral.

Galligan walked leisurely over to us and placed the stone into the indentation in the floor. Suddenley, the section of carpet we were standing on began to convulse, and then seperated itself from the rest of the rug and began to move downwards. I fell off my feet in surprise.

Was this some sort of elevator? I had never really taken into consideration that there didn't seem to be any windows or doors to Galligan's tower, that flight was the only way anyone ever seemed to enter it, or that Galligan's office seemed to be the only room in the entire structure. But if someone had asked me to guess what occupied the rest of the tower, I woudn't have guessed a secret elevator shaft.

I got back on my feet, barely keeping myself balanced as the elevator rattled downward. The circle of light above us gradually shrank, until we were in suffocating darkness for what felt like an agonizingly long amount of time, and then light, this time warm and flickering and from below our feet, finally returned.

The elevator landed with a jolt. We were in some kind of underground passageway paved with cobblestone, torches on the walls dancing with purple fire and casting uncanny shadows on the walls.

I had never seen anything like this before. "Where...?"

"Beneath the city," Galligan replied simply. "And, if you don't mind, I'd like to request that you be discrete about what I'm about to show you." The Headmaster stepped in front of me and beckoned us to come with him. I followed him uneasily down the corridor, Iesha behind us. The air was hot and musty, and we seemed to be at a downward incline. As we neared the end of the tunnel, the walls widened out and were no longer paved. Torches no longer lined them, and the light seemed to come instead from something much larger.

We finally entered a large, circular cavern, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw what was there. A massive, glowing cluster of purple crystal, as big as my cottage, imbedded in rock. Its light seemed to pulse every few seconds, and I could've sworn I could hear a low humming noise, almost like a heartbeat.

"What is that?" I said almost inaudibly.

"The Thystus," Galligan said grimly. "One of its names, anyway." he turned to Iesha. "This, Ms. Merl, is the birthplace of the energy that flows through all of us. It is the last remnant of a world long-since past. It existed before you, before me, before the very stones around us," Galligan gestured his cane in an arc around the cavern walls. "Spark was built around the Thystus long ago by people who wanted to channel its prodigious amounts of energy. And through rigourous physical and mental preparation, one is able to channel its enery. One's Windspark."

Iesha tried not to look impressed, but I could tell she was, if not a bit impatient. "Get to the point, Galligan."

"My point is that, without proximity to the Thystus, you would never have been able to unlock your windspark with your father's help alone. You must have been in Spark at  some point during the pivotal moments of your training, otherwise you never would have been able to pull off that little stunt."

"So you brought me down here to your pretty magical rock," Iesha threw up her hands and wiggled her fingers in a mocking manner, "Just to prove some pointless thing that doesn't matter?"

"No, that was simply a byproduct of your coincidental arrival in my city. I came down her to entrust Mr. Asterlon with a task of sorts."

"A task?" I asked nervously.

"Yes. You are to protect the Thystus. If it were to be removed from its resting place, to fall into the wrong hands, it would mean catasrophic consequences for this world."

I looked at the pulsing mass of violet crystals. It didn't seem to need protecting, and if it did, I certainly wasn't the best candidate. My heart sank when I realized Galligan had only brought me here to keep me out of trouble. He knew I wouldn't be able to stand up to the Noventians, so he had taken me to a safe place under the guise of an important mission. 

"Fine," I said, deciding to play along. "I'll, uh... protect it." I drew my dagger in an exaggerated flourish.

Galligan nodded slightly at me, and then looked at Iesha. "Ms. Merl, I could use your assistence. As much as it humiliates me to admit it, Mr. Whitlock was right to be concerned for us. And if my students and citizens are not in a secure area, I can not gauntee their safety from the Noventians. After the fireworks are over, we must initiate a curfew and get as many people as possible into the various strongholds surrounding my tower." Galligan spun on his heels and began walking briskly back up the tunnel.

"Wait." Iesha said. Galligan stopped in his tracks, not turning around.

"Whitlock? As in Terrence Whitlock? Morningstar?"

"Yes?"

"He's a Reaver! You're working with Reavers?"

"Is that problematic?"

"I'm not working with Reavers," she said stubbornly.

Galligan considered this. "Very well. There is no time for arguing. You can assist Mr. Asterlon in his... task. I must go." the Headmaster nodded at me again, and then streaked back across the corridor and up the shaft, not bothering to use the elevator.

We were alone. 

Evelyn~

I scan the dining hall, looking for a Terrence Whitlock, leader of the Reavers himself. There are too many people for me to be able to see. I try turning around- and find that he's not so far away as I thought. I walk over to him, rehearsing in my mind what to say.

"Excuse me, Mr. Whitlock?" I call out, my voice going squeaky. Darn it. Calm down, Evelyn. Be smart. This might be your one chance to get out of Spark if there's a war. He turns, seeming somewhat surprised that a person would dare call out his name. I walk over anyway. He frowns slightly. "What do you want?"

"I- I want to help. From what I've heard, war is coming, and I need to get to Jetsam. My family is there, and my sister- well, actually, I don't know if my sister is alive or not- and I haven't seen them since I was five." I say.

He looks at me, raises an eyebrow. Figures he can tell I'm not done with my training.

"I could be useful! I'm a quick learner! And I'm almost done with my training!"

Terrence-

Terrence rubbed a hand over his mask and sighed. "You picked a bad time, girl. But, sure, just follow me-"

"Mister Morningstar!"

Terrence spun on a heel as Collins, one of his city insiders, ran up to him, panting.

"Iesha Merl teleported away before I could finish her off. She was last seen with Galligan."

"Wait, finish her off? You were going to kill her?" Terrence asked, putting a hand to his hip.

The man nodded, bemused. Terrence shook his head, clearing it.

"Sure, alright. Where were they-"

"The Thrystus."

Terrence felt his heart stutter in his chest. "How do you know about the Thrystus?"

"I'm not stupid." Collins said, with a feral grin, "I may not have a full Windspark, but I can track people. Seeya, boss."

Collins melted back into the crowd before he could be caught. Terrence looked up. The Reavers were keeping a wall of ships around the city.

"I'm going to find the witch," Terrence spat. The girl behind him hesitated.

"Wait here." Terrence said, storming off. He remembered ages ago, when Galligan had taken him by the hand and showed him the heart of the city.

Terrence stormed into the elevator-room and pulled a shard of crystal from his pocket. He'd stolen it from a merchant vessel. It would have to do. Shudderingly, the room descended.

Terrence stepped out in a room shrouded in purple light. He sagged with relief when he saw Corilis maintaining a safe distance, then bristled again. Iesha was standing close to it, glaring at him.

"Morningstar." she growled.

"Hello, you jackass!" Terrence said, cheerful. "Hope you're enjoying oppressing those weaker than yourself on this fine morning."

"Galligan stationed me down here," Corilis interjected, scar flinching over his eye.

"Got it. What I don't get is why this lady is down here."

"Galligan said so." Corilis said. Terrence moved a little closer to Corilis.

"Don't try anything, Reaver," said Iesha, rolling her neck, "I'm not as weak as your average Spark mook."

Terrence smirked. The smug look faded from his face when he saw how close Iesha was to the purple amalgamam of light and energy.

"Iesha, get back from there." Terrence ordered. Iesha glared.

"What? You're afraid of it?" she snorted through her nose. "Childish."

"I'm serious."

"I don't trust Reavers."

"I... think he may have a point." Corilis said, eyeing the heart of the island, "It looks powerful."

"Bull." Iesha stretched out a hand. Terrence began to shout at her just as a little crackle of electric energy flew out in response to her close proximity, headed for Corilis.

Terrence didn't know what stupid code made him block the small burst of power, taking the blow for the navigator.

Iesha stared at the heart, fascinated. Terrence swore and shuddered, electricity making him jittery.

Corilis raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, Morningstar?" he said, confused.

"I did promise to protect you, Navigator." Terrence joked. He considered his slightly singed cowl, deciding it made him look battle-worn and rugged.

"And please, just call me Terrence. It'll be a nice change of pace." Terrence pulled off his mask and flashed Corilis a grin. He stepped back.

"But really... any idea why Galligan is worried about this thing's safety?" Terrence asked. 

Orson (Spark) ~

I wake to an intense heat, it feels like I'm in a blast furnace. I open my eyes slightly, and almost close them again, but I jolt awake when I realize-I'm still alive? I won't be much longer if I stay in here.

I'm in the control room of the my father's ship. What's left of it anyway, the only way I can discern it from the rest of the lower deck from the burning husk that used to be a control panel. I attempt to stand, but I don't get much farther than sitting up. I feel weak and lightheaded, and my armor feels like it weighs 1000 pounds. I reach down and clutch the hilt of my knife, managing to unsheath it from its dented scabbard. I struggle to cut the leather straps on my chest and leg plates, and attempt to shake of the armor as best I can. I was getting slower and slower, if I took any longer, I was going to burn alive. 

Grasping my knife in one hand, I crawl towards a nearby opening in the hull. My body hurts like nothing I've ever experienced before, but I grasp the edge of the opening in a last burst of hope. I use all my stength to try and pull myself up and over. I... I can't do it. This is it. I was going to die in here. Oh hell, if only I'd been obedient like my father wanted, we would've never flown up here in the first place. For all I know, both my father and Captain Edmunds were dead now. This was all my fault.

"There's someone inside!" I hear a muffled voice call out, and suddenly there's a tight grip on my arm. I feel myself being pulled out of the ship by two arms. "Somebody get his legs!" I feel another set of hands grasp my feet, and hoist them off the ground as both people start moving. I open my eyes to see the black night sky directly above me. Thank goodness, I haven't been out for long. 

I feel a sudden softness on my back, and the hands under my arms and legs release. I reach down and touch it, it felt like a cot, almost as soft as my own bed. It was so comfortable, I feel like I could fall asleep.. My mind is suddenly flooded with thoughts. The attack. It couldn't be later from now than an hour or so. I jolt upright, but immediately moan in pain. I look down to see a huge gash on my right torso.

"Take it easy, don't move!" A tall, dark skinned man is by my side, unspooling a roll of gauze. Two other men were at my feet, who I assumed were the ones who carried me.

"Where... where am I?" I groan. The man beside me lifts up my back, starting to wrap the bandage around my wound.

"Vestocan," he replies in a calming, professional tone. "An island village of Spark." I frantically look around. We're surrounded by trees, except for the flaming wreckage behind me, and a little cottage to my right, most likely belonging to the three men. From the cottage, a path leads into the distance. I see the lights of a village spring up from the trees a little ways away, and on the horizon, much closer than I'd like, Spark Academy. In all it's glory. I really was gonna die out here.

"Do you remember who you are?" asks one of the men at my feet. 

"Orson, Orson Kyo," I respond shakily. I glanced down at my clothes. Thank god they couldn't tell I was a soldier, without my armor, my singed tunic and pants look like commoner's clothing. "I'm.. I was.. a prisoner on a Noventian warship." 

Iesha was infuriated, to say the least. Who did he think he was, bossing her around? He ruined her life!

"But really... any idea why Galligan is worried about this thing's safety?" Terrence asked. 

"I'm going to kill you," Iesha ignored his questioned, her voice without the slightest bit of emotion. Her eyes were dead set on Terrence as she drew her knife. The two looked at her in surprise.

"We can all kill each other later," Terrence replied, looking at the knife with exasperation. "However, aren't you the slightest bit curious about the crystal? Just the tiniest bit?"

"No," She snapped. But then she thought for a moment. Why the heck was she so angry? How was this going to solve anything? Gaining her composure, she put back the knife and sighed. "But you have a point. So, any ideas?" 

"This thing is miles below ground, it makes no sense why it would need to be guarded," Terrence mused, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Maybe that's why he put someone like him in charge of it," Iesha pointed at Corilis. He looked the slightest bit hurt. "Either way, I don't think we're going to get answers here. I'm leaving."

"But he told us--"

"He told you," Iesha pointed out. And as a little of an afterthought, she added, "I don't even know why I'm helping you guys in the first place. Either way..."

Iesha began to walk back towards the elevator. "Well, who's coming?"

Terrence shrugged and walked after her. Corilis looked a bit stunned and seemed to be debating with himself. Finally, however, he said, "I think I'm going to come with you."

"It's not like you could have done anything to help this rock," Iesha commented. Iesha lifted the lever of the elevator, and it slowly inched its way upward.

They stood there in silence, each in their own thoughts. However, when the elevator reached the halfway point, an explosive was heard from outside the tower. The elevator stopped, swinging slightly, as the walls started to crumble.

"What the..." Another explosive rocked the elevator, and the three couldn't remain on their feet after this one.

"Who the heck is trying to destroy this freaking tower?" Iesha yelled over the noise, trying her best to hold onto the railing.

"The Noventians," Terrence spat, and he grabbed the other two by the shoulder and flew them up into Galligan's office. Iesha raced towards the window, and barely managed not to gasp.

They were here.

* * *

I might be pacing this story too fast, but the war had to start sooner or later!  

Corilis~

The scene I saw from the balcony of the Headmaster's tower was like a vision from hell itself. The city that I had known for so many years, where Windtracers had come and gone while I stayed right here,  where I had laughed and cried, where I had grown up, was engulfed in the bloody cloud of war. A fleet of at least two dozen warships, bigger than I had ever seen, had arrived on the north side of the island, their scarlet envelopes embelished by the Noventian crest of two crossed spears. Cannonades of flame were furiously being exchanged between the Noventian and Reaver ships, while the tracers launched ice spike after ice spike in a desperate attempt to thin out their assailants. While this was happening, catapults stationed on top of the city's many castles rained balls of ice on top of the Noventians, who responded by firing balls of flame into the city which occasionally collided with a tower or castle. A ship or two had been destroyed on each side, but several Noventian footsoldiers had breached the Reaver barracade and were fighting Reavers in the city square with frightening ferocity. The stars and aurora had been completely blotted out by smoke. It was unreal.

Terrence cursed. "They got here early. Come on, let's go." he grabbed hold of my hand and swooped out of the tower to the ground. Iesha followed after us. Galligan was standing on the crest of the hill, looking down at the carnage below. When he heard us approached, he whirled around, fire reflected in his steely eyes. His hair, usual impeccable, looked disheveled.

"Whitlock!" he yelled over the sound of gunfire. "Why aren't you commanding your troops?" 

Terrence looked like he was about to make some witty remark, but decided not to. "I got held up."

"Well, get back out there! They need you!"

"Right. See you, Corilis." Terrence gave a little mock salute at me, and then ran off into the frey.  Galligan must've not known I was here, because when he heard my name, his eyes widened and he grabbed me and pulled me into a safe spot behind a boulder. Iesha had disappeared off somewhere when we left the tower and I didn't see her anywhere.

"Why didn't you stay with the Thystus?" he demanded. I was becoming increasingly curious why Galligan cared so much about my safety, but now wasn't the time to ask.

"He-" I tried to point to Terrence, but he had already vanished into the haze of smoke and steam.

"Nevermind. It doesn't matter." Galligan let go of me, and groaned exasperately, massaging the bridge of his nose.  "I was a fool for not listening to him the first time," he said bitterly. "Noventia wanted to attack us when we were off our guards and they got exactly what they wanted. Even with the Reaver's help we weren't able to keep panic from overtaking us and innocent blood from being spilled." I saw him glance towards the square, where several bodies of villagers lay darkened by the night. I tried not to look at them.

"It wasn't your fault," I said, trying my best to comfort him. "Both of you got overwhelmed." 

"I suppose," Galligan said. "We all have our motives. But discussing the causes of war is an activity not fit for a time when war is currently occuring. Mr. Asterlon, Castle Brackenleaf, Castle Amberdew and Goldwarren Hall are completely full. We need to evacuate the remaining villagers. There's an open ship on the south side of the city where no Noventians are present. Get to the ship, and do all you can to shepherd them into it. Get to Jetsam. I'll try to meet up with yo..." 

"No." I said suddenley, interrupting the Headmaster. Something I seldomly did. Interestingly, he did not look surprised. 

"I'm not running," I said, the emotion obvious in my voice. "Not again. Noventia took everything from me. I'm not going to let them do it twice."

Galligan studied me for a few seconds, scratching his chin. "Very well," he said solemnly. "As I said, we all have our motives. You will do what you must do. There is an open guard tower in Castle Brackenleaf. You may assist with the reloading of catapults."

It wasn't killing Noventians, but at least it wasn't cowering in fear from them. As strong as my hidden bloodlust might've been, I was not stupid. I knew my dagger couldn't stand up to Noventian steel and flame, but I would still do everything in my power to prevent any more innocent lives from being lost. I nodded to show that I understood his assignment, and began to run as fast as I could to Castle Brackenleaf on the very peak of Mount Arjus.

"And Corilis!"

I looked back at the Headmaster. 

"Please try not to get yourself killed."

Orson~

"Well, Mr. Kyo," the dark-skinned man responds. "Whatever happened on that ship, I won't make you relive it. First and foremost, we have to get you to the village, so we can get that nasty gash of yours treated." The man turned towards the other two at my feet, only to find them staring up at the sky.

"Doctor, I think we have bigger things to worry about," shouts one of them, gesturing behind me. I whip my head around, and swallow in dread.

A line of Noventian warships covers the horizon like a swarm of locusts, their masts at full length, displaying the iconic cross of spears. I was so used to the sight of those ships, I was almost startled by the reaction of the men.

"Rolf, Mont, go with Orson, now! Get to Spark, I'll follow behind!" the Doctor screamed in a panicked, almost scary voice. The two men once again lifted me up to their waists, and started frantically towards the lights of the village. I held on for dear life, trying not to flip off of the cot as they practically sprinted along the path. I crane my neck to see the fleet getting slowly closer, even at the speed we were going. We couldn't outrun them. I try to look farther back to see if I could find the Doctor behind us, but I'm interrupted by a gargantuan explosion. The place where the Doctor's cottage probably used to be erupts in a cloud of smoke and flame.

My jaw drops. Even though I'd spent my whole life around them, I never imagined that the warships were capable of something like this. I finally get a view of the village, but it's anything but pretty. The villagers were frantically pushing across a bridge of ice, desperately trying to make it to the main island. Rolf and Mont sprint through alleyways and between buildings, trying to find the quickest route the bridge. The buildings eventually thin out, but like an avalanche of fire, a barrage of firballs rain down on the bridge, shattering it instantly. I look away. I don't remember how many were still on that bridge, but I don't think I want to.

Cloud-like figures begin to rocket out of the chaotic crowd, flying over the newly formed gap and towards Spark. Windtracers. Another Windtracer soars overhead, landing a few meters away from us. His head twists in our direction, and my carriers hold out my cot, as if offering me to the man. The Wintracer skillfully throws me over his shoulders, and after some adjustment, erupts in a grayish plume of clouds. My vision is completely covered by a gray smoke, and I feel myself barreling through the air. The sound of wind screeching completely blocks out the sounds of the attack. Suddenly I'm falling, falling fast, with no way to stop. I let out a terrified scream, and just like that, I'm back on the ground.

The Windtracer gently leans me against a nearby stone wall. "We need to get as many out of harms way as we can," he explains. I give a shaky nod, and he swiftly rockets back towards the village. I look around, and find that the main island is about as orderly as the village. More and more projectiles rain down on the island, while windtracers and catapults atop stone towers fire chunks if ice in response. People frantically push through the streets, streaming into large, castle-like stone structures. I go to follow the herd, but my knees buckle, and I end up back on the ground. I grit my teeth. I was a soldier, wasn't I? Even in situations as bad as these, I needed to try harder.

I crawl towards the wreckage of a destroyed house-a wooden board was visible amidst the rubble. I grasp and tear the board away, lifting myself with the plank wedged underneath my right arm. For a makeshift crutch, it could be worse. I make for the nearest castle, limping through the crowd as I'm pushed along by the waves up people. The flow of people slows, I hear agruing and yelling from the entryway of the castle. Were they getting full already? I look to see if there was another safehouse. Instead of a building, I spot a person amoung the sea of terrorized expressions. A pale, dark haired boy with an angry look was pushing against the crowd, towards one of the other buildings, I assumed. He didn't look much younger than me, but then again, my judgement wasn't at peak condition right now. 

As the boy comes closer, I see a some kind of scar on his cheek. Ouch, was that recent? Perhaps he's one of the windtracers defending the island. Yeah, that had to be it. Was he going to fetch more villagers, like the other one I met? I spend so much time studying the guy, I don't even realize myself running straight into him.

Warship Legion 79-

The captain sneered as a volley of flame tore through a line of ice. Windtracers, despite all of their tricks, were nothing in the face of technology.

The ship managed to send a barrage to one of the Reaver ships, lighting it aflame. Ice encased it rapidly, but the flames had already taken one of the guns.

"Did I get any of them?" shouted Gunsman Rhos, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Looks like the artillery got an Officer." Captain Argent commented, staring down at the ship below.

Terrence-

Old idiot. He wasn't going into the field unless it was necessary. Azazel, Cain, and Lilith commanded his armies; he was their higher-up. And contingency plan.

But, then again, Noventia was forcing his hand.

He flew up, beating canvas wings with magical energy. He swooped low over a throng of people and ruffled Corilis' hair, smirking as he pulled back up and into the clouds. Corilis let out an indignant yelp, face tinging pink.

The sky blazed with red fire, the color of Noventia, the color of blood. Terrence curled his lip. There was a smell of death hanging in the air.

His men, however, seemed to be doing well. He'd taught them how to evacuate airships that fell. So far, they'd had fewer casualties than the Noventians.

Azazel pulled a massive chain gun over her shoulder and fired from the back of an airship. One of the Noventian warships fell in her onslaught. She'd punctured the side in a wide gash. Lilith shouted orders to her crew, creating a wall of fire and staving off three ships at once.

And Cain-

Cain? 

Terrence couldn't see Cain. Where was Cain? Terrence spun in the air, staying hidden in the smoke, searching-

No.

Cain was limping, along the back of a singed warship. Blood spurted from his leg with every jerking step. Terrence descended, landing on the back of the ship.

"Who did this?" Terrence asked, breath heavy, "Cain? Cain, we'll get you to your Medic."

"My Medic is dead. Died in the fire." Cain coughed, smiling ruefully. "I always knew karma would bite me in the rear some day."

"Cain, get up." Terrence commanded.

"Is it dark out yet?"

"Cain, please."

"I want to leave now, Terrence."

"Cain? Cain? Johnathan?" Terrence said, forgetting to use John's Reaver name. 

"I've always been half in love with you, you know that?" Cain coughed, smirking. "You're not hard on the eyes."

Terrence didn't laugh. He picked Cain up in his arms.

"Who did this?" he asked, voice wavering.

Cain sighed and pointed up. A Noventian warship was moving away from their ship quickly.

Terrence glared at it. "I'll take you to the Medic on Lilith's ship. Then I'll get those bastards."

There was no reply. Terrence looked down.

Cain was shivering.

"Burn me up," Cain said, "I'm so cold. Burn me up and put me in the ocean."

And then Cain became very, very cold.

Terrence said nothing for a while. Then he brought Cain belowdecks, put him in a cot, and gave the crew their new orders. Cain's brother, Abe, was steel-faced. He was deep in denial. Terrence made him new acting captain of the ship and left, tears under his mask.

Then he took to the air and followed the warship.

Warship Legion 79-

"Captain? There's a man in front of the airship."

"So kill him." said the Captain, glaring at Gunman Rhos. 

"That's just it. We... we tried."

The Captain cursed and looked at the viewport. His face blanched. A blue-helmeted man with canvas wings was outside, hovering, wreathed in fire.

"Run." he said.

"What?"

"Run. Get out of the way, get out-"

A spike of ice slammed through the window, spearing Rhos against the wall. The Captain screamed and ran back, getting a glimpse through the other window.

The bottom half of his ship was gone. Morninstar had destroyed it. He was dropping off the island fast.

"Hello, Captain."

The Captain's breathing was fast and panicked. Morningstar had come through the window. The Captain tried to draw a gun, but it was gone. He'd dropped it while running over.

"Hey, Cap? You want to know what people who fall through windows while being sprayed with gunfire sound like?"

The Captain whimpered.

"This!" Terrence said brightly.

The Captain was forced through the window in an instant, screaming as he tumbled. He stopped screaming after the fifth bullet went through him.

His warship fell down and through the clouds. Terrence watched it descend. 

Sorry guys, but I'm gonna have to draw Corilis out of the shipping wars. He can still be friends with everyone, obviously. I just wanted his character arc to be focused mostly or entirely on him becoming stronger and overcoming his fear of Noventia. Also, I can't write schmaltzy stuff if my life depended on it. I just wouldnt be able to do it. So yeah. 

Evelyn~

The screams begin when the first ship is sighted. And then, they're cut off in a burst of fire. There is a return of ice and lightning and cannon fire, but it's too weak. Students housing, citizens houses, libraries- all under a siege of fire. Including my home.

Thank god I always carry the picture and my necklace around.

A little girl runs, screaming, sobbing for her parents. She's the only one who made it out of the building that was just hit. I grab her by the hand, pick her up, and carry her toward the ship, toward safety. The ship is going to Jetsam- but a girl, perhaps the one who arrived today with the knife in her stomach is running away. 

She's running towards the heart of the city, perhaps the least safe place to be.

Isn't it my duty to help her, as a citizen and an almost-Windtracer? I can join the Reavers. I don't have to leave now. Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself as I run after her. I can save her. And then something I've forgotten for so long is brought to my memory.

It was on a ship, the ship to Spark. Eva was coughing, and nobody was helping her, even when she coughed up blood. I was trying to save her, trying to save my sister until that last moment when she stopped moving and her eyes went glassy.

I can save this girl, though. For Eva.

So I run after her, following her through the burning streets to an alley, where she collapses, curls up into a ball, maybe even cries a little. I extend my hand. "It's not safe here. Come with me."

She doesn't respond, maybe she can't hear me or maybe she's too scared to move. So I take her hand, and I try to pull her up, trying to be gentle and comforting. Her legs are weak, so I offer her my support. 

"I'm Evelyn," I say, and try to help her back through the city.

***

@Danie, I hope this is okay?

To JBE: That's cool. Terrence promises ;) ;) to stop ;) ;) ;) shamelessly flirting ;) ;) ;) ;). Just kidding! He doesn't, but he'll be content to not actually have ~romance~

To Aspen: sure!

To Danie: Hear me out... Terrence X Iesha w/redemption arcs!

Facts about Terrence, I'm bored:

My bi guy!

-Big softie actually

-tease boi! Winks too much.

-draws art. Has been sketching since he was young. Drew Galligan a lot of handmade birthday cards.

-likes small, cute animals.

-once tried to adopt a Griffin, it didn't go well. He was 9 years old. Galligan made him set it free.

-he wanted to go to a school dance when he was 12 with his friend Devon from Jetsam. Galligan dropped him off. Everyone was impressed.

-he used to call Galligan "Papa."

Facts about various Reaver crew members:

-Bee-Bub is mute and communicates by writing things down. She giggles a lot. She''s very short and looks adorable, but is probably capable of killing you. Reaver name is Beelzebub. Real name is Jordan Archip.

-Dante is head engineer, real name is Devon Rhee. She and Bee-Bub are a couple. She's a talented musician.

-Azazel has a prosthetic mechanical leg. She's quite proud of it. Real name is Jazz Richardson.

- Lilith was an actress on Spark. Her real name is Angela Reiss.

_Ba'al's real name is (REDACTED). He's the brother of (REDACTED). 

Hey, what's that up there? Definitely NOT an atbash cipher!

- 

Corilis~ 

In the span of 12 hours, Spark had gone from the quiet place it always had been, to a raging battlefield. Spark had always been the symbol of peace, a sanctuary- as long as I could remember, anyway. To see it this way, in this light- it was almost a joke. A cruel prank. My mind had trouble even associating the familiar slope of Mount Arjus with the fog of conflict that had now descended upon it. It felt like a dream as I ran towards Castle Brackenleaf, my feet moving on their own. That is, until I collided with the man.

"WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" I screamed at him in a panic and adreniline fueled wrath, jumping quickly back on my feet. My face softened when I realized he had a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his middle. His clothes were in an even worse state than most of the peasants I had seen- they had nearly been seared off. Well, I had just vowed to protect innocent lives and here I was doing the exact opposite.

"Come on, let's get you out of here," I said, stretching out my hand. The man took it, and I pulled him to his feet. He was surprisingly heavy. Muscular. That was rare among the nearly malnourished peasants that usually populated Spark's neighboring villages. Brushing off the abnormality, I put his arm around my shoulder, supporting him with my weight.

"What's your name?"

"Orson."

"There's a ship heading to Jetsam, Orson. Just walk..." I pointed my arm in the direction everyone was hysterically running. "Well, you know. Just follow them."

Orson looked anxiously at the horde. "You... coming with me?"

I realized Orson would probably never make it to the ship alone. Not in this state. He'd probably get trampled to death before he was slaughtered by a Noventian.

I debated for a few harrowing seconds."You know what? Just... come with me. I'm sure one more person won't hurt." 

The crawl up Mount Arjus was now made even more agonizing by the fact that I was supporting a man who was at least thirty pounds heavier than me. Occasionally, a fireball made contact closer than I would've liked, but we kept on going. That is, until we reached the observatory.

It was completely destroyed.

I stood in shock for a few seconds. 

"What is it?" Orson looked at me.

"N... nothing. Let's keep moving."

When we reached the top of the mountain, my eyes were blurred by teras. It could've been from the smoke. Or something else. Usually up here the air was crisp and cool and smelled of alpine. Now it was none of those things.

A Master guarding the castle ran up to me when he saw me arrive. 

"No room!" he cried hysterically. "No room!"

"I'm Corilis Asterlon!" I tried to explain. "Headmaster Galligan sent me to help with the catapults!"

The Master looked at me for a few seconds, and then ran frantically back to the castle, shouting something I couldn't make out up to the people in the guard tower. They shouted something back, and then he ran up to me once again.

"Alright. You can come into the tower," he said reluctantly.

"Thanks." I started towards the entrance to the tower, still supporting Orson. The Master stuck out his palm.

"He stays." the Master said firmly.

"He's badly wounded!"

"He's not the only one."

"What do you want me to do, bring him back down the mountain?"

"Aughhh! I don't know, I don't know!" the Master threw his hands up. I had never seen a Master lose it like this before. "Uhh... just... lean him against the south side of the castle! I doubt he'll get hurt there!"

A little unnerved by such uncertainty coming from the mouth of a Master, I led Orson over to the south side of Castle Brackenleaf and carefully set him down. "Stay here," I said. Without waiting for his response, I scurried back to the tower and climbed the spiral staircase in seconds.

Several Masters and senior Windtracers were in there, producing boulder-sized chunks of ice and loading them into a catapult which periodically propelled them with surprising velocity- with a help of a little wind magic of course.

The Windtracers did not cease their tasks when i came up. One of them, a square-jawed senior named Katz who I had known for the five years he had been there, looked at me with a nod. "Corilis."

"Hey."

"Noventians are the worst cowards I've ever seen," the square-jawed young man snarled. "If they didn't have those ships, i could take any one of them out in one-on-one." He let loose another cannonball, which flew towards the city square, before curving to the left and landing in the woods.

"Oh- um, your trajectory's off," I quickly told him. "The wind's blowing east. You should aim a little to the west."

Katz looked at me in astonishment, and then adjusted the catapult. The next shot landed squarely on a cluster of Noventian footsoldiers, crushing them. His eyes instantly lit up.

"YEAH! THAT'S OUR CORILIS!" 

The Windtracers started to chant my name along with some derogatory words for Noventians, when suddenley a yelp came from the east side of the room, where a Master was pointing a telescope towards the Headmaster's tower.

A massive purple blob of what looked like some gelatinous form of energy, like lava but translucent, was slowly growing, engulfing the tower's spire. It was not lightning- it was not like anything I had ever seen, and it seemed to... almost distort and ripple the air around it? And from the looks of it, not even the Masters had seen anything like this before. This was something new.

"Wh-what is it?" I asked. The Windtracers, who had been taking turns with the telescope, passed it to me.

At the tapering end of the mass of energy was a little black cane, and at the end of the cane was Nix Galligan.